DAVAO CITY – The local government unit of Matalam in Cotabato province has stepped in to resolve the land conflict in the remote Barangay Ilian after tensions sparked on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
VICE Mayor Ralph Ryan Rafael facilitates a dialogue in Barangay Ilian, Matalam, Cotabato. (Contributed photo)
Vice Mayor Ralph Ryan Rafael said Wednesday, Feb. 26, that a brief firefight erupted between two families after one of them fired warning shots.
No one was wounded but the gun fire caused fear among residents, said Rafael.
Rafael brought police and soldiers to defuse the tension. Local government officials facilitated a dialogue and both parties have peacefully settled the issue. The dialogue was witnessed by barangay officials, police, and military.
He said that two families have been fighting over 13 hectares of farmland since 2017. Both sides have claimed discrepancies on land survey.
“The families have agreed to put an end to land conflict and they also signed an agreement to peacefully settle the issue. They also voluntarily surrendered their firearms to the authorities,” said the vice mayor, vice chairman of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC).