TUGUNAN, SGA-BARMM — September 19, 2026 — An armed clash between government security forces and an armed Moro group was reported Saturday morning in Barangay Manaulanan, Tugunan, within the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), triggering heightened tension and prompting authorities to move civilians away from areas affected by the fighting.
Initial reports identified the forces involved as elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), reportedly including Philippine Army troops, and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front–Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF). However, authorities have yet to publicly establish the identities of all combatants or provide a definitive account of what triggered the confrontation.
Tugunan Municipal Police Station Chief PLT. Cixon J. Kasan confirmed that an encounter occurred in Sitio Gawang, Barangay Manaulanan, during the morning of September 19.
According to the initial police account, government forces engaged armed individuals described as wanted persons who allegedly exchanged gunfire with authorities.
The incident reportedly began early in the morning, with residents hearing sustained gunfire from the direction of Manaulanan and nearby Barangay Balong.
Reports from residents and local sources said the sound of gunfire could also be heard from parts of Pikit, Cotabato, including areas of Ginatilan, as the firefight continued.
Military air operation reported
Unverified initial reports also described an aerial operation involving military helicopters beginning at around 6:30 a.m. and continuing for several hours.
Local reports claimed that two Black Hawk helicopters were operating over or near the conflict area and that gunfire could be heard from the direction of the aircraft.
However, the exact nature and objective of the reported aerial operation remained unclear as of the latest information available. Authorities had not yet provided a complete official account regarding the aircraft’s mission, the specific targets involved, or whether any airstrikes caused casualties or property damage.
The situation remained fluid as of late morning.
Civilians caught amid fighting
One of the immediate concerns was the safety of civilians living in Manaulanan and nearby communities.
Local Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) personnel reportedly undertook emergency rescue and evacuation efforts for civilians who became trapped or were unable to leave areas affected by the fighting in Barangay Manaulanan and Barangay Balong.
The reports underscored the potential risk to residents as armed exchanges continued in populated communities.
Authorities were reportedly deployed to the area to secure affected communities, assess the situation and prevent further threats to civilians.
The exact number of residents evacuated or rescued was not immediately available.
Cause of clash still being determined
As of publication, authorities had not released a comprehensive official statement establishing the circumstances that led to the encounter.
Several key questions remain unanswered, including the identities and affiliations of all armed individuals involved, the reason for the military operation, whether the reported confrontation was connected to a specific security operation, and whether there were casualties.
There were also no confirmed figures immediately available regarding soldiers, armed-group members or civilians killed or wounded.
The conflicting and still-developing reports underscore the need for caution in identifying the parties involved and describing the military’s aerial operations until these details are officially verified.
The incident comes amid continuing security challenges in parts of the SGA, where communities remain vulnerable to armed confrontations and localized violence.
For residents of Manaulanan, Balong and neighboring communities, the immediate priority remains civilian safety as authorities continue to assess the situation and establish the full circumstances surrounding Saturday’s fighting.
Further developments are expected as the military and police complete their assessment of the encounter.