MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao del Sur — The alleged leader of the Panenekelan Criminal Gang and a provincial most wanted person was killed following a brief exchange of gunfire between his group and an unidentified armed group in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, on Thursday morning, August 13, 2026.
Bangsamoro police spokesperson Capt. Steffi Salanguit identified the fatality as Emran Lauban Hasim, also known as “Emran Amilil.” Police said the encounter occurred shortly after 7:00 a.m., during which Hasim sustained a gunshot wound.
Authorities said Hasim was being monitored as the alleged leader of the Panenekelan Criminal Gang and was reportedly a former member of the BIFF-Karialan Faction who was also believed to have been affiliated with the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group.
Police records reportedly linked Hasim to alleged gun-for-hire activities and a series of shooting incidents in Maguindanao del Sur, particularly within the SPMS Box area, as well as in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat and nearby provinces.
He was also reportedly listed as Maguindanao del Sur’s No. 1 Most Wanted Person and was among those being investigated in connection with an ambush against police personnel in Shariff Aguak on March 28, 2026.
Multiple criminal cases pending
Authorities said several criminal cases had been filed against Hasim before the Regional Trial Court Branch 15 in Shariff Aguak.
These reportedly included murder, attempted murder, frustrated murder and robbery cases filed on different dates between 2024 and 2026.
According to police information, two counts of murder and attempted murder were filed on September 16, 2024, followed by two counts of murder on December 17, 2024. Additional complaints involving frustrated murder and attempted murder were filed on April 4, 2025.
On May 19, 2026, authorities reportedly filed additional cases involving five counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder and robbery.
The filing of criminal cases, however, constituted allegations against Hasim, and the accusations had yet to be resolved with final convictions before his death.
Rido eyed as possible motive
Initial police investigation indicated that the gun battle may have been connected to a rido, or a longstanding clan or family feud.
The other armed group involved in the encounter had not yet been identified, and authorities were continuing efforts to establish its identity and determine the circumstances that led to the exchange of gunfire.
Police have not yet disclosed the identities of other individuals who may have been involved or whether there were additional casualties in the incident.
Following the shooting, police stations in the surrounding areas were placed on alert and checkpoint operations were conducted as a precautionary measure.
Authorities said the security measures were intended to prevent possible retaliation and the movement of additional armed personnel from either side.
The incident has heightened security concerns in the area as police continue to investigate whether the shooting was solely related to a local feud or involved other criminal or armed-group activities.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities working to identify the opposing armed group, determine the events that preceded the encounter, and establish the identities of other individuals who may have participated in the incident.
Police also continue to assess the security situation in and around Mamasapano to prevent possible retaliatory attacks or further armed confrontations.