SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao del Sur — Five police officers were killed while three others were wounded in a brazen ambush carried out by still unidentified gunmen on Saturday night, March 28, underscoring once again the persistent dangers faced by law enforcement personnel operating in hostile environments in the province.
Police identified the fatalities as Patrolmen Kenneth Perocho, Al-Fatah Marohom, Amil Bangsa, Arsenal Sivih, and Sayed Ridwan, all members of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office.
Wounded in the attack were Police Lieutenant Alfred Gregory, Police Staff Sergeant Adam Kamarudin Kansi, and Patrolman Abubakar Lauban, who are currently receiving treatment in separate medical facilities.
Ambushed While Returning from Patrol
Initial investigation revealed that the eight ոստիկան personnel were aboard a patrol vehicle (Mobile Car #767) and were on their way back to their detachment at Camp Datu Akilan after conducting routine patrol operations when they were ambushed around 9:10 p.m. along Maguindanao Street in Barangay Mother Poblacion.
Authorities said the attackers opened fire on the moving vehicle in what appeared to be a well-planned assault, leaving five officers dead on arrival at the hospital due to the intensity of the attack.
A hot pursuit operation has been launched by joint police and military units to track down the perpetrators, while the entire province has been placed under heightened security alert.
LGU, Police, Bangsamoro Government Condemn Attack
The local government of Shariff Aguak strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “karumal-dumal at walang pusong ambush” against law enforcers.
Vice Mayor Hadji Oping Ampatuan said the incident was a direct assault on peace and order in the municipality.
“This kind of violence is a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the peace we have worked hard to build. We will not allow fear and chaos to prevail in Shariff Aguak,” Ampatuan said.
He urged residents to remain calm but vigilant and to refrain from spreading unverified information that could further escalate fear and confusion.
The Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) likewise condemned the “deliberate and cowardly act” against police personnel, assuring the public that all efforts are underway to bring those responsible to justice.
Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua extended condolences to the families of the slain officers and directed concerned ministries to ensure a thorough and swift investigation.
A Known Killing Ground for Law Enforcers
The latest ambush is not an isolated case but part of a troubling pattern of deadly attacks in the area, particularly along the same road stretch leading to the Maguindanao del Sur Police Headquarters.
Records show that similar ambush incidents occurred on January 1, 2018, and June 15, 2023, both of which resulted in casualties among police officers and civilians. In those previous attacks, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were identified as the primary suspects.
The 2nd PMFC unit involved in the latest ambush had also been targeted in past attacks, raising concerns over the continued vulnerability of mobile police units operating in high-risk zones.
Persistent Threats in a Hostile Environment
Security analysts note that parts of Maguindanao del Sur remain a complex operational environment for law enforcement due to the presence of armed groups, long-standing clan conflicts, and difficult terrain that provides strategic advantage to ambushers.
The latest incident serves as a grim reminder that police personnel deployed in such areas must maintain heightened vigilance at all times—even during routine movements such as returning from patrol.
Despite ongoing peace-building efforts in the Bangsamoro region, the recurring attacks highlight the fragile security situation and the urgent need for enhanced intelligence, coordination, and protective measures for frontline officers.
Call for Public Cooperation
Authorities continue to appeal to the public for cooperation, urging anyone with information about the attack to come forward.
As investigations continue, officials reaffirmed their commitment to uphold law and order, stressing that those behind the ambush will be pursued relentlessly.
“This will not go unpunished,” PRO-BAR said in a statement. “We remain steadfast in our mandate to serve and protect, even in the face of grave danger.”