ESPERANZA, Sultan Kudarat — Two unidentified armed men allegedly involved in a motorcycle carnapping were killed following an armed encounter with pursuing police officers in Barangay Salabaca, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, late Sunday night, August 30, 2026.
The incident unfolded after a reported motorcycle carnapping along the National Highway in Barangay Laguinding at around 11:30 p.m., prompting the Esperanza Municipal Police Station (MPS) to immediately launch a hot pursuit and dragnet operation.
According to police, the suspects forcibly took a Honda XRM 125 motorcycle from a 33-year-old man identified as Ray. The circumstances surrounding the alleged taking of the motorcycle are still subject to police investigation.
Following the report, personnel of the Esperanza MPS pursued the suspects while other law enforcement units established checkpoints and chokepoints in strategic areas to prevent their escape.
The operation involved personnel from the 1202nd Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12 and the 2nd Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Force Company, who assisted in securing possible routes used by the fleeing suspects.
Members of the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Intelligence Unit also took part in the operation. Police said the intelligence personnel were conducting monitoring and target-hardening activities in connection with the ongoing Hamungaya Festival when they joined the pursuit.
Pursuit Ends in Barangay Salabaca
The pursuit eventually led police to Purok Pag-unlad in Barangay Salabaca, where the suspects allegedly lost control of the motorcycle they were riding and crashed along a barangay road.
Police officers pursuing the men then approached the crash site and identified themselves as law enforcement personnel.
According to the police account, the two suspects allegedly opened fire at the approaching officers.
The officers reportedly returned fire, saying they did so in self-defense.
Both suspects sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange. They were immediately transported to Villanueva Hospital for medical attention but were declared dead on arrival, according to authorities.
No police personnel were reported injured in the encounter.
Firearms, Ammunition and Motorcycles Recovered
Following the shooting, police recovered two .45-caliber pistols, both reportedly loaded with live ammunition, along with fired cartridge cases believed to have been left at the scene during the exchange of gunfire.
Authorities also recovered two motorcycles believed to be connected to the incident.
The firearms, ammunition, motorcycles and other pieces of evidence were secured by the police for examination and documentation.
The Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) team subsequently processed the area, documenting the scene and collecting relevant evidence as part of the investigation.
Police said the recovered items will undergo proper examination and disposition in accordance with established procedures.
Identities of Suspects Still Being Established
Authorities have yet to publicly identify the two men killed in the encounter. Their identities, as well as their possible links to other criminal activities, remain under investigation.
Police are also expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged carnapping, trace the ownership and history of the motorcycles recovered, and establish the sequence of events that led to the armed confrontation.
The account that the suspects fired first is based on the initial police report and remains subject to the investigation and evidence gathered from the crime scene.
The incident comes as police units in Sultan Kudarat continue to strengthen security and law enforcement operations, particularly in areas where major public activities and festivals are being held.
Police Regional Office 12 OIC PMAJ Jeffrey T. Lazaro emphasized the importance of sustained police visibility, intelligence monitoring and law enforcement operations while respecting the rights of individuals.
“Hindi natin kinukunsinti ang anumang uri ng krimen, lalo na ang mga gawaing naglalagay sa panganib sa buhay at ari-arian ng ating komunidad,” Lazaro said.
He added that authorities would continue strengthening police visibility, intelligence monitoring and law enforcement operations while maintaining respect for the law and the rights of the public.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the identities of the two deceased suspects and determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged carnapping and subsequent armed encounter.