GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A former inmate facing multiple murder charges was killed while six others were arrested after an armed encounter with police during a follow-up operation in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City, late Wednesday afternoon, October 29, 2025.
The slain suspect was identified as alias “John-John” Caban, a resident of Davao del Sur, who reportedly opened fire at responding personnel of Police Station 10 in Purok Catapang Heights. Authorities retaliated, resulting in his death and the wounding of a minor who was among the suspects.
Police launched the operation after identifying a man captured on CCTV stealing a cellphone from an athlete participating in the Batang Pinoy games at the city’s sports complex. The suspect was traced to the area, where officers found several individuals allegedly engaged in a “pot session.”
As the team approached, one of the suspects fired at the responding officers, prompting them to return fire. The exchange led to the fatal shooting of Caban and the arrest of six others, all with prior criminal records.
Recovered from the scene were a .357 revolver with live ammunition, two sachets of suspected shabu, weighing paraphernalia, and a weighing scale believed to be used for the illegal drug trade.
Those arrested were identified only by their aliases: Danilo, 39, married, with a previous murder case; Henry, 30, single, also with a murder record; Diendo, 28, single, with a murder case; Romeo, 28, previously charged with illegal drug possession; and Blueford, 26, single. All are residents of nearby barangays Fatima, Calumpang, and Labangal.
Authorities confirmed that several of the suspects had previously been detained for serious crimes, including murder and theft. They are now under police custody at the Tambler Police Station as investigators prepare to file appropriate charges for illegal possession of firearms, drugs, and resistance to lawful authority.
Police said the incident underscores the continued crackdown on criminal elements operating in the city.
“We will not allow armed groups or criminal elements to disrupt peace and order,” a police spokesperson said. “Our personnel acted in self-defense after being fired upon.”
The Philippine National Police urged residents to immediately report any suspicious armed activity in their communities as part of ongoing efforts to maintain safety and security in General Santos City.