POLICE in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) have been placed under the highest security alert status amid the ongoing pursuit operations against the group behind the ambush in Maguindanao that resulted in the death of two policemen and the wounding of four others.
In an interview on Monday, June 19, 2023, Police Brigadier General Red Maranan, chief of the Philippine National Police-Public Information Office (PNP-PIO), said the Bangsamoro police, under the full alert status, will intensify the conduct of checkpoints and chokepoints, as well as the regular police visibility and intelligence-gathering operations.
“Our police forces in Maguindanao have been intensifying the security posture in the province against armed groups and other criminal elements,” said Maranan.
On June 14, unidentified armed men fired upon a police marked vehicle while traversing the town of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao del Sur on its way back to the police headquarters.
Patrolman Saipoden Shiek Macacuna and Patrolman Bryan Polayagan, both assigned to the Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Maguindanao Police Provincial Office, died during the incident, while four others -- Patrolmen Arjie Val Loie Pabinguit and Abdulgafor Alib, and Staff Sergeant Benjie Delos Reyes and Chief Master Sergeant Rey Vincent Gertos were wounded.
Maranan said investigators already have persons of interest in the ambush and they are now being subject of follow-up operations.
PNP Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. went to Barmm Monday morning, June 19, to get updates on the ambush and to check on the security measures being implemented in the areas.
The PNP earlier said that most of the 48 private armed groups monitored in the country were in the Bangsamoro region. (SunStar Philippines)