2 cops die, 4 hurt in Maguindanao Sur ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 15, 2023): 2 cops die, 4 hurt in Maguindanao Sur ambush (By Edwin Fernandez)

AMBUSHED COPS. A police officer undergoes treatment at the Maguindanao del Sur provincial hospital after an ambush in Barangay Poblacion, Shariff Aguak town on Wednesday night (June 14, 2023). Two police officers were killed and four others were wounded in the incident. (Photo courtesy of PRO-BARMM)

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao Sur – Two police officers were killed and four others were wounded in an ambush by suspected extremists in Barangay Poblacion here Wednesday night.

Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, regional police director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the police officers belonging to the Provincial Police Mobile Company were heading to headquarters in neighboring Datu Hofer town when waylaid while passing through this town at 8 p.m.

“We are pursuing them,” Nobleza said, without the identities and affiliations of the attackers.

He withheld the victims' identities until their immediate relatives are officially informed.

The victims were rushed to the Maguindanao del Sur provincial hospital located about a kilometer from the ambush site after the incident.

Two of them later expired while undergoing treatment.

No one has claimed responsibility but the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) operate in the hinterland areas of this town.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), meanwhile, vowed to bring to justice the perpetrators of the attack.

“The men and women of the Philippine National Police show grief over the untimely passing of our two non-police commissioned officers and wounding of four others in an ambush staged by still unknown assailants,” PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in a statement.

“We assure that the PNP will do everything within its power and authority to serve the ends of justice.”

Acorda identified the slain police officers as Pat. Saipoden Shiek Macacuna and Pat. Bryan Polayagan, both assigned to the Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Maguindanao Police Provincial Office.

The four wounded cops were Chief Master Sgt. Vincent Gertos, Staff Sgt. Benjie delos Reyes, Pat. Arjie Val Louie Pabinguit and Pat. Abdulgafor Alib.

Acorda instructed the local police forces to conduct aggressive pursuit operations and investigation to identify those responsible in the ambush.

He also assured that the PNP will extend all possible assistance to the families of the two slain cops and all the necessary help for those wounded, especially on medical expenses.

“This case will not go unsolved, punishment is certain for those responsible for this heinous crime,” Acorda vowed.

The PNP chief also called for the support and cooperation of the local community in providing any relevant information that could aid in the swift resolution of this case.

"We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203582