KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — A 37-year-old man wanted in connection with murder and attempted murder cases in General Santos City was killed following an alleged exchange of gunfire with operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) during an operation to serve a warrant of arrest in Barangay Concepcion, Koronadal City, on Friday evening, November 13, 2026.
The deceased was identified as Ricky Malo, also known by the alias “Bangus,” a married resident of Barangay San Jose, General Santos City. He was reportedly classified as a Regional-Level Most Wanted Person in connection with pending criminal cases involving murder and attempted murder.
Based on initial police accounts, CIDG operatives were serving a warrant of arrest against Malo at around 7 p.m. in Purok Roxas, Barangay Concepcion. Reports indicated that he was riding a tricycle when authorities approached to implement the arrest warrant.
The operation allegedly turned violent when Malo reportedly opened fire at the arresting officers, prompting the operatives to return fire. The resulting exchange of gunfire left Malo and another individual wounded.
The injured individuals were immediately brought to Allah Valley Medical Specialist Center for medical attention. However, Malo was declared dead on arrival, while his companion, identified only as alias “Fritz,” 20, a resident of Barangay San Jose, General Santos City, sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his back.
Fritz was reportedly in stable condition and remained under medical treatment following the incident.
PCapt. Arnel Garcis, Assistant Provincial Chief of CIDG South Cotabato, confirmed that another individual was wounded during the operation and that the latter was receiving medical attention.
Authorities said a .45-caliber firearm, along with seven live rounds of ammunition, was recovered from the deceased. The weapon is now among the pieces of evidence to be examined as part of the investigation.
Records cited in the initial report indicate that Malo had outstanding warrants of arrest for murder and attempted murder under Criminal Case Nos. 25-38750 and 25-3875. He was reportedly included in the regional most-wanted list covering Sarangani Province and General Santos City.
However, the initial reports contain differing references to the cases and offenses attributed to Malo. Some accounts also mention rape and frustrated murder, in addition to murder and attempted murder. These additional charges have yet to be independently clarified and should not be treated as established details without confirmation from the appropriate court or law enforcement authorities.
The initial information further indicated that the cases against Malo in General Santos City were linked to an alleged shooting that resulted in the death of one of his relatives. The circumstances surrounding that incident, including the specific allegations and the status of the cases, were not fully detailed in the available report.
The CIDG and Koronadal City Police Station are continuing their investigation to establish the full circumstances of the encounter, including the sequence of gunfire, the injuries sustained by the surviving individual, and the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the firearm and ammunition.
The police account that Malo fired first remains an allegation based on the initial operational report. Further investigation and any available independent evidence will be important in establishing the precise circumstances of the fatal encounter.
The incident underscores the risks involved in law enforcement operations to serve arrest warrants, while also highlighting the importance of a thorough and transparent investigation whenever an operation results in death or injury.