BUADIPOSO BUNTONG, Lanao del Sur — A police operation to serve a warrant of arrest turned deadly on Monday morning, May 4, after law enforcers were ambushed by armed men, leaving a member of the Philippine National Police–Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) dead and four others wounded.
Police identified the fatality as Police Corporal Kelvin Dela Cruz Francisco, a member of the 41st Special Action Company, 4th Special Action Battalion of the PNP-SAF. He was among five officers initially reported wounded in the encounter but later succumbed to his injuries.
The incident occurred at around 11:00 a.m. in Barangay Catogonan, also referred to in initial reports as Barangay Lumbak, during the implementation of a warrant of arrest against Sukair Diongcat, who is facing charges of murder and attempted murder.
According to Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), the operating teams had not yet reached the target when they were suddenly fired upon by unidentified gunmen, reportedly using a sniper rifle from an unknown position.
“The operatives were approaching the area to serve the warrant when they were ambushed,” said PNP-BARMM spokesperson Capt. Steffi Salanguit, noting that the attack triggered a firefight between government forces and armed individuals.
Aside from Francisco, four other officers were wounded in the clash. They were identified as Police Captain Mark Bryan Tamid-ay, Patrolman Presley Baguiwan, Corporal Rexil Mejos, all members of the PNP-SAF, and Corporal Taha Saripada of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Special Operations Group.
Authorities said the injured personnel are now in stable condition after being rushed to a hospital for treatment.
In response to the attack, Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Director Col. Caesar Cabuhat ordered the immediate deployment of additional forces to secure the area. Reinforcements included SAF units, personnel from nearby police stations, and two light armored vehicles to support ongoing operations and ensure the safe evacuation of the wounded.
Clearing operations and a full-scale investigation are currently underway to determine the origin of the sniper fire and identify those responsible for the ambush. Authorities have also heightened security in the area amid concerns of possible follow-up attacks.
The suspect, Diongcat, managed to escape during the encounter and remains the subject of a manhunt.
The firefight caused panic among residents living near the scene, prompting local officials to issue assurances about public safety.
In an official statement, the municipal government of Buadiposo Buntong, led by Mayor Noron “Hayanisah” Guinar Dadayan, emphasized that the situation is under control and that the town remains “safe, orderly, and peaceful.”
The local government also clarified that the incident is not related to illegal drugs and urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation.
Meanwhile, the PNP-SAF community is mourning the loss of Francisco, whose death underscores the dangers faced by law enforcement personnel in high-risk operations, particularly in conflict-prone areas of Mindanao.
Authorities vowed to continue pursuit operations against the suspects as they seek justice for the fallen officer and accountability for the attack.