GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Police neutralize gunman, arrest alleged mastermind in swift, coordinated operation following Lagao shooting
General Santos City — Law enforcement units in General Santos City successfully concluded a fast, coordinated, and high-risk operation following the shooting of a truck driver at a gas station along J. Catolico Avenue, Barangay Lagao, on November 18, 2025.
According to the General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO), the breakthrough stemmed from the unified efforts of the City Mobile Force Company (CMFC), City Intelligence Unit (CIU), Police Station 3 (PS3), Malapatan Municipal Police Station (MPS), 1st Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), and the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) 12.
Mastermind arrested within hours
Immediately after the shooting incident, investigators reviewed CCTV footage and gathered testimonies, leading to the positive identification of one of the suspects—believed to be the mastermind and a former live-in partner of the victim, identified only as Hector, 50, a resident of General Santos City.
Police Colonel Nicomedes Olaivar Jr., GSCPO Director, said the suspect, known as Ara, was arrested around 6:00 p.m. on November 18 in Barangay Ligaya. CCTV footage allegedly showed her riding as a passenger on the motorcycle driven by the gunman moments before the attack. The same footage, coupled with the victim’s own identification, enabled authorities to swiftly track her down.
Police added that pieces of physical evidence, including the face mask she was reportedly wearing during the incident, were recovered during her arrest.
Although the victim pointed to his former partner as the one who allegedly ordered the hit due to personal grudge and money-related disputes, the woman vehemently denied the accusation during an interview on Barangay FM Super Radyo, insisting she was merely selling fish to earn a living when she was taken by police.
Gunman killed in armed confrontation
Even after the arrest of the alleged mastermind, operatives pressed on with the pursuit of the gunman, who fled toward the boundaries of Malapatan, Sarangani Province. By late morning of November 19, around 11:00 a.m., police teams finally located him in Barangay Tuyan.
Authorities reported that the suspect refused to surrender, sped away, and opened fire at pursuing operatives. Police were forced to return fire. The gunman sustained gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival (DOA).
Victim in critical condition
The victim, Hector, remains in critical condition and is scheduled for surgery as a bullet is still lodged in his body.
Police: No letup in pursuit of justice
Police said the rapid arrest and neutralization of the suspects demonstrate their commitment to protecting the community.
“Hindi kami magpapahinga hangga’t hindi nasisiguro ang kaligtasan ng bawat mamamayan ng Gensan. Ang aming buhay ay handang ialay upang protektahan kayo, labanan ang krimen, at panatilihin ang kaayusan,” the GSCPO stated.
Authorities continue to investigate the case and are conducting further operations to secure all individuals possibly connected to the crime.