Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat – A suspected motorcycle thief was killed in a police dragnet operation conducted by the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Highway Patrol Team (SKPHT), in coordination with the 2nd Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Force Company (SKPMFC), the 1202nd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12 (RMFB12), and Esperanza Municipal Police Station (MPS) on the evening of Thursday, February 13, 2025, in Purok Bagongbuhay, Barangay Sagasa, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
Authorities were conducting an anti-carnapping operation along the National Highway in Barangay Saliao when they attempted to flag down a speeding blue Sniper 155 motorcycle. The rider, however, refused to stop and instead accelerated towards Barangay Sagasa, prompting police to pursue him with assistance from the 2nd SKPMFC and 1202nd MC RMFB12.
During the chase, the suspect lost control of the motorcycle, causing him to crash. As police officers approached to provide assistance, the suspect allegedly opened fire on them. In self-defense, officers retaliated, hitting the suspect. He sustained gunshot wounds and was immediately transported to a medical facility, where he was later declared dead.
Recovered from the crime scene were a Yamaha 155 motorcycle with plate number 955UIR, registered under the name of Ricardo, a .45 caliber pistol with no serial number loaded with one live round, a steel magazine with an additional live round, and a spent .45 caliber shell.
Further investigation revealed that earlier that evening, at around 8:20 PM, a 42-year-old laborer from Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, reported to the police that his Yamaha 155 motorcycle, bearing the same plate number, was forcibly taken from him along the National Highway in Barangay Laguinding, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
As of now, the suspect’s body remains at a funeral home in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, as authorities work to establish his identity.