KAPATAGAN, Lanao del Sur — Three men wanted for murder escaped after allegedly engaging police officers in a nearly two-hour exchange of gunfire during a law enforcement operation in Barangay Daguan, Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur, on September 9.
Police identified the three wanted individuals as Alioden Sarip Alabat, alias “Aleo”; Alinor Sarip Alabat; and Perper Manggaw Alabat, all residents of Barangay Buenavista, Balabagan, Lanao del Sur.
According to Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) spokesperson Capt. Steffi Salanguit, the incident began at around 11 a.m. when personnel from the Kapatagan Municipal Police Station, 1401st Regional Mobile Force Company, RMFB 14-A, and the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office were conducting a mobile patrol in the area.
The police team reportedly spotted the three men, who were being sought in connection with a murder case covered by a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 12 in Malabang, Lanao del Sur, under Criminal Case No. 1268-2025.
Police said the warrant carried no recommended bail, meaning the accused would not be entitled to provisional release through bail if arrested, subject to the applicable court proceedings.
Authorities said the situation escalated after the three men allegedly noticed the presence of the police and opened fire at the responding officers. The police then returned fire, resulting in an exchange of gunshots that reportedly lasted for almost two hours.
Despite the prolonged firefight, no deaths or injuries were reported among the police personnel or the three wanted individuals based on the initial reports.
The suspects, however, reportedly managed to escape from the area during the encounter.
Following the escape, police units immediately launched clearing and hot-pursuit operations to locate and apprehend the three wanted men. Neighboring police units were also alerted, with checkpoints established in nearby areas as authorities worked to prevent the suspects from moving farther away.
Police operations were continuing as authorities attempted to determine the exact circumstances of the encounter and track the whereabouts of the three fugitives.
The incident underscores the risks faced by law enforcement personnel in serving arrest warrants involving suspects accused of serious crimes, particularly in areas where armed encounters can quickly escalate.
Authorities have not reported any additional casualties or arrests arising from the operation as of the initial account.