PNP: Hunt on for gunman who killed cop in Lanao del Sur mosque

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the agency to hunt down the gunman who allegedly killed a police officer inside a mosque in Lanao del Sur.

In a statement on Monday, Nartatez said the law enforcement agency “strongly condemns this brutal attack on one of our personnel, especially in a place of worship.”

READ: Cop shot dead while praying in mosque in Lanao del Sur

“I have ordered the [director of the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao] and neighboring regional offices to deploy all available intelligence and tactical resources in an intensified, border-to-border manhunt to bring all those responsible to justice,” he stressed.

The slain police officer, whom Nartatez identified as Chief Master Sgt. Alioden Sarangani, was fatally shot inside a mosque in Barangay Uyaan Proper, Madamba town last Saturday night.

The gunman, who has yet to be identified, shot Sarangani in the head while he was praying, the PNP noted.

“To the family of Police Chief Master Sergeant Sarangani, the entire Philippine National Police stands with you in grief, and we assure you that his ultimate sacrifice while in a sacred house of prayer will not be in vain,” Nartatez said.

He also noted that he had directed the regional and local police units to intensify its intelligence and visibility operations as part of security measures in the wake of the incident.

“I want to reassure the residents of Lanao del Sur that this cowardly attack will not break our resolve. We are pouring heavily visible police forces into your communities to restore order and ensure your absolute safety,” the top cop added. /das