COTABATO CITY — A 33-year-old man was arrested after allegedly stealing a motorcycle at gunpoint and being caught with an unlicensed firearm during a hot pursuit operation conducted by authorities in Cotabato City on Tuesday night, May 12, 2026.
The Cotabato City Police Office identified the suspect as Mohammad Sayon Akmad, a resident of Purok Torion, Poblacion 1, Cotabato City. Police said the suspect had already been under surveillance for his alleged involvement in a series of motorcycle theft incidents in Cotabato City and nearby towns in Maguindanao del Norte, including Sultan Kudarat and Datu Odin Sinsuat.
In separate statements released Wednesday, Steffie Salanguit and Jibin Bongcayao said the suspect allegedly carried out a “holdap-style” motorcycle robbery along De Mazenod Avenue in Barangay Rosary Heights 4 at around 8:25 p.m.
The victim, identified as 21-year-old Amerudin Sicatin Semang, was reportedly parked in front of Cowboy Restaurant when the suspect suddenly approached him while armed with a caliber .45 pistol.
According to investigators, Akmad pointed the firearm at the victim and threatened to shoot him if he refused to hand over the keys to his white Honda Click V3 motorcycle bearing plate number M397JV. The suspect also allegedly took the victim’s mobile phone before fleeing the area using the stolen motorcycle.
The victim immediately sought assistance from authorities, prompting personnel from various Police Visibility Posts to launch a hot pursuit operation.
Through the coordinated efforts of barangay officials and operatives of Police Station 1 led by Teofisto Ferrer Jr., the suspect was cornered and arrested along Doña Blanca Street in Mother Barangay Poblacion, Cotabato City.
Police were able to recover the stolen Honda Click motorcycle as well as an STI EDGE caliber .45 pistol with serial number 318472, a magazine loaded with five rounds of ammunition, and one bullet in the chamber.
Authorities also recovered two mobile phones from the suspect, including the cellphone allegedly taken from the victim during the robbery.
Akmad is currently detained at a police detention facility while authorities prepare charges for violation of the Anti-Carnapping Act and Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Police said additional investigations are ongoing to determine the suspect’s possible links to other motorcycle theft incidents in Cotabato City and neighboring municipalities.