BANISILAN, North Cotabato — Three suspected members of a lawless armed group were killed after an armed confrontation erupted during the implementation of multiple warrants of arrest by joint police and military forces in Sitio Kinamuran, Barangay Pantar, Banisilan, North Cotabato, on Wednesday, July 8.
According to the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12), the operation was launched at around 12:30 p.m. by personnel from the Banisilan Municipal Police Station, the Regional Intelligence Division (RID), and the 33rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. The joint team was tasked to serve court-issued warrants against several wanted individuals linked to a lawless armed group allegedly led by a High-Value Individual identified only by the alias “Mandoy.”
Authorities said the suspects were facing multiple criminal charges, including crimes against persons and violations of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Republic Act No. 9516 concerning illegal possession of explosives, and Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
PRO-12 reported that as the operating teams attempted to serve the warrants, the armed suspects allegedly opened fire on government forces, triggering a firefight. The armed encounter later spread to another area after additional members of the group reportedly joined the attack before retreating toward a nearby sitio.
The exchange of gunfire resulted in the deaths of three still-unidentified suspects. Authorities said no casualties were recorded among the police and military personnel involved in the operation.
Government forces recovered two M16 rifles and one magazine-fed shotgun from the encounter site.
Following the operation, the Cotabato Police Provincial Office coordinated with the North Cotabato Provincial Forensic Unit to conduct Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO). The bodies of the slain suspects were transported to the Banisilan Rural Health Unit for medico-legal examination and proper identification.
Authorities said crime scene processing, clearing operations, and pursuit operations remain ongoing as security forces continue efforts to locate and arrest the remaining wanted members of the armed group who fled during the encounter.
PRO-12 emphasized that the operation was a lawful implementation of court-issued warrants and underscored the continuing collaboration between the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in enforcing the law, dismantling lawless armed groups, and maintaining peace and public safety in North Cotabato.