BUADIPOSO BUNTONG, LANAO DEL SUR — What began as a routine mission to serve justice turned into a deadly corridor of fire on Monday morning, May 4, 2026. Five police officers were caught in a sophisticated ambush in Barangay Catogonan while attempting to execute arrest warrants for murder and frustrated murder against a notorious local suspect.

The joint tactical team—comprising members of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF), the Lanao del Sur Police Special Operations Group, and local municipal police—was approaching the residence of the primary suspect, SukairDiongcat. As the officers moved into position around 11:00 AM, they were met with a hail of gunfire from concealed snipers.

Police reports indicate that the attackers deliberately targeted the rear of the police formation. This tactical move was designed to sow confusion and draw the officers' fire away from the front of the house, successfully creating an escape window for Diongcat and two other accomplices, Alex and PaizDiongkat.

The encounter was brief but devastating. Five officers were rushed to AmaiPakpak Medical Center in Marawi City. Tragically, Corporal Kelvin Dela Cruz Francisco of the 41st Special Action Company was pronounced dead on arrival.

Following the firefight, reinforcements supported by armored vehicles secured the perimeter. A search of the hideout yielded PHP 2 million worth of suspected shabu, two unexploded M203 grenades, and dozens of empty M16 rifle shells.

Governor MamintalAdiong Jr. has condemned the "cowardly" attack and officially offered a cash reward for information leading to the capture of the Diongkat trio. "This blatant disregard for the rule of law will not be tolerated," a spokesperson for the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) stated. "We will find those responsible."

An extensive manhunt is currently underway across the province to track the suspects, who are believed to have been wounded during the exchange of fire.