MALAPATAN, Sarangani Province — Three individuals believed to be companions of a wanted person were apprehended, while high-powered firearms and ammunition were recovered following an armed encounter during a police manhunt operation in Barangay Sapu Masla, Malapatan, Sarangani Province, early Friday, October 9, 2026.
Personnel of the 1st Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company, serving as the lead unit, along with members of other concerned police units, conducted a Manhunt Charlie Operation at approximately 1:02 a.m. to locate and apprehend a wanted individual.
According to the initial police account, an armed confrontation erupted after the target allegedly opened fire at the operating team. The wanted person subsequently managed to escape toward a nearby creek.
During the incident, one of the wanted person’s companions sustained a gunshot wound to the waist. Police operatives subsequently apprehended three individuals believed to be companions of the fleeing target.
Firearms and Ammunition Recovered
The operation resulted in the recovery of two firearms and assorted ammunition and firearm accessories.
The items seized included one .30-caliber M1 Garand rifle, one homemade shotgun, three live rounds of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition, 11 M1 Garand magazine clips, and seven live rounds of .30-caliber M1 Garand ammunition.
The recovered firearms and ammunition could form part of the evidence in the investigation into the armed encounter and the circumstances surrounding the wanted person’s attempted apprehension.
Manhunt Target Remains at Large
Despite the arrest of three individuals, the primary target of the manhunt remained at large after escaping toward a nearby creek during the confrontation.
The incident underscores the risks faced by police personnel during operations to apprehend wanted individuals, particularly when the targets are allegedly armed and resort to gunfire.
Further details regarding the identities of the arrested individuals, the specific cases against the wanted person, the condition of the wounded companion, and any subsequent follow-up operations were not provided in the initial report.
Authorities have yet to provide additional information on whether the injured individual received medical treatment or whether charges have been filed against those apprehended.
The investigation and efforts to locate the escaped wanted person are expected to be key developments following the operation.