COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A spate of violent attacks on cops in different Mindanao provinces since New Year’s Eve has left three people, including one policeman dead, and others shaken but alive. The assaults, employing assassins and grenades, underscore escalating risks for law enforcement in many areas in Mindanao.
The latest attack occurred on New Year’s Day in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur, when two grenades were hurled into a police compound around 6 pm. One grenade exploded, damaging a vehicle, while the other failed to detonate, sparing officers stationed there.
Police said they have identified persons of interest, although their identities have not been disclosed as the investigation continues.
“Most likely, the motive being investigated is retaliation by a drug syndicate following the recent arrest of a high-profile individual involved in illegal drug activities,” said Police-BARMM director Brigadier General Romeo Juan Macapaz.
Macapaz said the group has been identified and warned that any form of harassment against security forces will not be tolerated.
He ordered countermeasures against the group responsible for the grenade attack.
Ambush
In Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, a police officer and his family were ambushed near the roundabout in Awang on the afternoon of December 31. Despite a hail of gunfire hitting their vehicle, all survived without casualties.
Authorities said the target of the attack was Police Corporal Tohamie Musa, assigned to the Provincial Mobile Force Command in Tawi-Tawi province.
The incident was captured on video by netizens during the exchange of gunfire, clearly showing the officer’s vehicle, a pick-up truck, with his family inside.
The vehicle was riddled with bullets aimed at the driver’s seat. Musa fired back from his window, exited his vehicle, and engaged the assailants in a firefight, causing them to flee.
Staff Sergeant Benjamin Beto, an investigator with the Datu Odin Sinsuat police, said the suspects, riding tandem on a motorcycle, trailed the police officer’s vehicle, overtook it, and opened fire.
The assailants fled on their motorcycle, but it malfunctioned as they escaped toward the Shariff Aguak highway. They then stole a civilian’s motorcycle to continue their getaway.
Macapaz said it was not a targeted attack against the police. One angle under investigation is a possible traffic altercation, he said.
Shootout: 2 dead
In Zamboanga City, a police officer killed two gunmen in a shootout in a dramatic scene caught on CCTV on New Year’s Eve.
The incident occurred in the late afternoon on Tuesday, December 31, when Police Sergeant Ryan Mariano, an intelligence operative, thwarted an attack by two riding-in-tandem gunmen in Barangay Ayala, Zamboanga City.
Mariano was standing near a church when the gunmen tried to kill him. The footage shows Mariano grappling with one of the suspects, creating distance, drawing his service firearm, and engaging in a shootout.
After a quick magazine change, Mariano cautiously maneuvered behind a parked vehicle as the second suspect sought cover. Seizing an opportunity, Mariano shot the fleeing suspect.
One of the suspects was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Mariano sustained stomach injuries and is receiving medical treatment.
Zamboanga Peninsula police director Brigadier General Bowenn Joey Masauding identified one of the killed suspects as Haber Tating, who had a standing warrant for two counts of murder. His companion, killed on the spot, has yet to be identified.
Cop killed
In Lebak, Sultan Kudarat province, a police intelligence officer was killed while conducting surveillance with three civilian agents on the night of December 31.
Sultan Kudarat police provincial director Colonel Bernard Lao identified the victim as Staff Master Sergeant Louie Noble of the Lebak Municipal Police Office.
Lao said Noble was at a local carnival conducting surveillance with civilian agents when two men approached and shot him. Noble was hit in the head and body, resulting in his immediate death.
Three civilians were also wounded by stray bullets and are receiving medical treatment, police said.
Authorities said they suspected the killing may be work-related. – Rappler.com