Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte — A joint police operation turned deadly after authorities serving warrants of arrest against several most wanted persons in Sitio Siawan, Barangay Tamontaka, ended in a firefight on Tuesday night, August 19, 2025.
The operation, conducted at around 10:30 p.m., targeted six high-profile fugitives: Buto Butingkol, the Municipal Level Top 1 Most Wanted; Ubpon alias “Bots”; Faizal Rajak; Musanip Butingkol; Pepe Butingkol; and Dave Pasandalan Midtimbang alias “Dave,” the Provincial Level Top 4 Most Wanted.
According to the police, the team was about to serve a warrant of arrest issued by RTC Branch 27, Cotabato City, for murder charges when suspect Buto Butingkol allegedly opened fire at the operatives. This prompted the law enforcers to retaliate, wounding Butingkol. He was rushed to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) but was later declared dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, authorities successfully apprehended Dave Midtimbang without resistance. He is now under the custody of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station (MPS) along with pieces of evidence recovered from the operation.
However, three other suspects — Ubpon alias “Bots,” Faizal Rajak, Musanip Butingkol, and Pepe Butingkol — managed to evade arrest and remain at large.
The operation was spearheaded by the Datu Odin Sinsuat MPS under Police Major Esmael A. Madin, with the support of the Special Action Force (SAF), Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), 2nd Maneuver Platoon (MP), and the 1404th Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB 14A).
Authorities assured the public that the manhunt for the fugitives will continue until all suspects are accounted for.