1 cop dead in Shariff Kabunsuan ambush (11:32 a.m.)

UNIDENTIFIED armed men ambushed a group of policemen in Buldon town in Shariff Kabunsuan province, resulting in the killing of one of the lawmen and injuring of at least three others on Wednesday night, a top police official reported Thursday.

Provincial police director Superintendent Esmael Pua Ali named the fatality as Police Officer (PO) 3 Salonga Tomawis,detailed with the 1506th Provincial Mobile Group based in the province.

Injured were PO2 Alfata Tomawis, PO2 Alimuddin Sonangan, and PO1 Kila Macabanding. They were taken to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Ali said Tomawis and his team were on their way to a police station from an anti-illegal gambling operation at around 7:50 p.m. when they were ambushed.

Their operation resulted in the seizure of three video karera machines. Before the ambush, Ali said they received information that supporters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) under one Taib Saaban were planning to ambush Tomawis’ group so he asked the police officers to spend the night at a nearby police station.

Incidentally, Ali said upon reaching Cabayuan village, the suspects opened fire at the policemen and harassed the police station. It was not immediately clear if Saaban’s group was responsible for the attack. (VR/Sunnex)

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