PNP-SAF member killed, 4 other cops wounded in Lanao del Sur ambush
COTABATO CITY— A member of the Philippine National Police–Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) was killed while four others were wounded after they were ambushed while serving a warrant of arrest in Barangay Catogonan, Buadipuso Buntong, Lanao del Sur Monday morning.
Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said operatives were about to serve a warrant against suspect Sukair Diongcat, who is facing charges of murder and attempted murder, when they were fired upon.
Killed in the incident was Cpl. Kelvin Dela Cruz Francisco, Salanguit said.
Injured were Capt. Mark Bryan Tamid-ay, Patrolman Presley Baguiwan, and Cpl. Rexil Mejos of the PNP-SAF, as well as Cpl. Taha Saripada of the Lanao del Sur Police Special Operations Group.
Salanguit said the four wounded personnel are now in stable condition.
Additional police officers, led by Lanao del Sur police director Col. Caesar Cabuhat, have been deployed to the area.
Reinforcements include two light armored vehicles, PNP-SAF units, and personnel from nearby police stations.
The target of the operation reportedly escaped and remains at large as pursuit operations continue. /gsg
