MAITUM, Sarangani Province — A 38-year-old man listed among the province’s top wanted persons was arrested by authorities during the implementation of a Warrant of Arrest in Prk. Riverside, Barangay Kalaneg, Maitum, Sarangani Province, at about 4:00 p.m. on October 1, 2026.
Police identified the suspect as a Top 9 Provincial Level and Top 6 Municipal Level wanted person in Sarangani. He was arrested over a pending case for Attempted Murder, for which authorities said a fixed bail of ₱120,000 had been recommended.
The operation was carried out by personnel from the Maitum Municipal Police Station (MPS), 2nd Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company (SPMFC), Sarangani Provincial Police Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit (SPPO-PIU), and the 1204th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12 (RMFB 12).
Suspect allegedly resisted arrest
According to the authorities, the situation escalated during the arrest when the suspect allegedly resisted and attempted to pull an object from his waist.
Police subsequently conducted a pat-down search, which resulted in the recovery of a Colt’s Manufacturing Co. caliber .45 pistol.
The firearm was reportedly loaded with one live round in the chamber and four additional live rounds inside its magazine, for a total of five live rounds recovered in connection with the arrest.
Authorities said the suspect failed to present documents authorizing him to possess or carry the firearm.
Because of this, police are preparing a separate case for an alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The firearm-related case is separate from the pending Attempted Murder case for which the warrant was served.
Firearm to undergo ballistic examination
Authorities said the confiscated pistol and ammunition will undergo ballistic and cross-matching examination to determine whether the firearm may have been involved in previous incidents or criminal activities.
The firearm will also be subjected to verification with the Firearms and Explosives Office to establish its registration and determine whether the suspect had any lawful authority to possess or carry it.
The suspect is scheduled to undergo the required medical examination before being placed under custodial detention, in accordance with standard police procedures.
The arrest highlights the continuing efforts of law enforcement authorities in Sarangani to locate and apprehend wanted individuals while also addressing the possession and possible use of unlicensed firearms.
The suspect remains under police custody and will face the appropriate legal proceedings for the pending Attempted Murder case and the firearm-related offense being prepared by authorities.