CATICLAN, Malay -- The running land dispute in Sitio Minoro here which led to the 30-minute shootout on the night of April 12 has raised more fears among tourists bound to Boracay Island.

This developed as reports reaching The News Today confirmed of near-death incidents because of the gunbattle between the security personnel of two security agencies posted in the disputed property being claimed by both the Tolosa and Aron families.

According to reports, in one incident, 20-year-old Miriam Malabao, a deaf, who is a resident of Sitio Proper, almost got hit by a stray bullet while she was buying a soda at a nearby store.

She said the bullet inched and fell before her while she was buying at the said store around 9 p.m.

Malabao said she wondered why people were scampering for safety and some were closing doors and stores only to learn later that there was a shootout going on with the two opposing security personnel in the contested property.

There were also reports of bullets falling in other sitios but nobody wanted to be interviewed for fear for their safety because the Tolosa and Aron families are feared in the area.

The gunbattle was also heard in Sitio Tabon. Residents in the area said they even heard bomb-like explosions apparently from high-caliber firearms.

"The earth was shaking and the people were wondering what was happening. It's like a war in the movies," said Rachel of Brgy. Tabon who requested not to have her surname printed for fear that she and her family might be affected by the dispute between the two land claimants.

Teachers in Caticlan Elementary School, who were interviewed on condition of anonymity, raised concerns on the safety of their students because the school is just a kilometer away from the disputed property.

"In fact, there were instances in the past months that the shooting occurred at around 4 p.m. and at the time when the students are about to go home," one teacher said, adding: "Most of our students here just walk to and from the school and you can just imagine the risk that they are facing once these two opposing groups would fight it out against each other."

Intelligence reports reaching The News Today said the PNP in the area has been already put on red alert status and the Army are said to be setting up a camp near the area to finally ease the tension here.*