CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A police corporal went missing after an encounter at Barangay Ilian, Madamba, Lanao del Sur, on Thursday.
Police Colonel Madzghani Mukaram, director of Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Officer (LDSPPO) said, PCpl Gilbert Males has been missing for more than twenty-fours hours after authorities implemented a warrant of arrest against four remnants of the alledged Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the town of Madamba.
Col. Mukaram told Bombo Radyo Cagayan de Oro that while the operatives were approaching the area, the suspects open fire which lasted an hour.
He said, the arrest warrants stemmed from the murder of a former chieftain in Tubaran.
The cases were filed against the suspects namely, Usop Malubay Abdulaziz, Abdulaziz Macalatas Abombay, Zanodin Moro Macalatas Ameril, Alican Macabuntal A.K.A Mkig Usman and Usman Barating Macabuntal.
All five suspects died after they resisted the authorities.
Apparently, police arrested another unidentified suspect who was seen fighting along the group.
Further, eight policemen was wounded, and one went missing after the hostility.
“In connection po ito sa pagpatay ng isang Barangay Chairman ng Barangay Tubaran. Ang isa sa mga warrant na namatay din po ay si Moro Macalatas Ameril, yong katungali ng napatay niya. Tinambangan nila at pinatay nila”, Mukaram said.
Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Regional Police Director Pol/BrigGen Graciano Mejares praised the bravery of the wounded policemen and awarded the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” and handed over cash assistance.
Recovered at the encounter site were five M-16 rifle, magazines and hundreds of M-16 ammunitions.
Additionally, Col. Mukaram expressed that the PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde is set to visit their camp to present medals for the wounded cops.
