CARMEN, COTABATO — A police officer assigned to the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 14-A was shot and killed by unidentified assailants along the Sayre Highway in Sitio Raberran, Barangay General Luna, Carmen, Cotabato, on Friday night, September 25, 2026.
The victim was identified by the Carmen Municipal Police Station as Patrolman Faisal Buisan Alang, 28, a resident of President Roxas, Cotabato, and a member of the 1405th Mobile/Maneuver Force Company, RMFB 14-A, based in Batulawan, Malidegao, Special Geographic Area (SGA), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Police reports placed the shooting at around 8:40 p.m., although another preliminary account placed the incident at around 8:55 p.m. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as they establish the exact sequence of events.
According to the initial police account, responding officers were conducting patrol operations in the area when they noticed a person apparently seeking assistance along the roadside. Upon reaching the location, they found Alang lying beside his motorcycle with gunshot wounds. One report indicated that he sustained a gunshot wound to the head, while another preliminary account said he had multiple gunshot wounds to the rear portion of his body.
The victim was immediately rushed to a nearby medical facility but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Initial information gathered by investigators indicated that two unidentified men riding a Bajaj motorcycle may have been involved in the attack. One was reportedly wearing a black hoodie jacket, while the other, who was driving the motorcycle, was wearing a white shirt.
The suspects reportedly fled toward the direction of Nasapian in the SGA, BARMM, immediately after the shooting.
Police recovered Alang’s motorcycle at the scene, along with a 9mm pistol believed to be his issued service firearm. The recovered firearm and other evidence were placed under examination as part of the continuing investigation.
Authorities have launched follow-up operations and are working to establish the identities of the gunmen and determine the motive behind the attack. Police are also expected to strengthen checkpoint operations and coordination with neighboring police units and other security forces as efforts continue to locate the fleeing suspects.
Alang was reportedly among the second batch of personnel recruited under the MILF/MNLF quota program, according to information circulated following the incident. He was also described in the reports as a qāri, or a person who recites the Qur’an.
The RMFB 14-A strongly condemned the killing and expressed condolences to Alang’s family, friends and fellow police officers.
The killing comes amid continuing security concerns in parts of Central Mindanao, where police and other government security forces remain deployed to maintain peace and public safety. However, authorities have yet to establish whether the victim’s assignment, background or any other circumstance was connected to the attack.
The investigation remains active, and police authorities have urged anyone with information that could help identify the perpetrators to coordinate with law enforcement.