Cop slain, 4 others wounded in Lanao del Sur ambush
COTABATO CITY—A member of the Philippine National Police–Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) was killed and four others were wounded after a police team was ambushed while serving a warrant of arrest in Barangay Katogonan, Buadiposo-Buntong, Lanao del Sur, on Monday morning.
Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said operatives were about to serve a warrant against suspect Sukair Diongcat, who is facing charges of murder and attempted murder, when armed men opened fire at around 11 a.m., reportedly using a sniper rifle.
Killed in the incident was Cpl. Kelvin Dela Cruz Francisco.
Wounded were Capt. Mark Bryan Tamid-ay, Patrolman Presley Baguiwan, and Cpl. Rexil Mejos of the PNP-SAF, along with Cpl. Taha Saripada of the Lanao del Sur Police Special Operations Group.
Stable condition
Authorities said the injured personnel are now in stable condition and were brought to Marawi City for treatment.
The team was led by Buadiposo-Buntong police chief Capt. Nur Basher Cayda and Lt. Mubarrak Dimakuta of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office.
A brief firefight ensued following the ambush, prompting the deployment of reinforcements led by Lanao del Sur police director Col. Caezar Cabuhat. Additional forces included PNP-SAF units, personnel from nearby police stations and armored vehicles.
The suspect managed to escape and remains at large as pursuit operations continue.
