Manila: Authorities arrested three suspected members of a private armed group (PAG) in Maguindanao del Sur on Tuesday night, linked to the shooting of a trader in Rajah Buayan town, a police official said. Capt. Joel Lebrilla, Rajah Buayan municipal police chief, stated in a report on Wednesday that the three individuals were implicated in the attempted murder of businessman Anton Mamalinta, a resident of Barangay Dapantis.

According to Philippines News Agency, the incident occurred around 7 p.m. while Mamalinta was in Barangay Baital, also in Rajah Buayan. The trader, however, escaped unharmed. Lebrilla noted that Mamalinta immediately alerted the police about the attempt on his life, prompting a pursuit operation that led to the suspects’ arrest.

Police identified the arrested PAG members by their aliases: Bronson, 60; Ranky, 46; and Norodin, 37, all residents of Barangay Baital. Lebrilla mentioned that two other PAG members evaded arrest and are the subject of a manhunt.

Mamalinta informed police that one of the suspects, whom he identified as alias Den, shot him, but his .45-caliber pistol malfunctioned, allowing him to run for his life. The suspects then fled to a safehouse where other PAG members were hiding.

Lebrilla added that police requested the group to surrender Den peacefully, but they refused. Consequently, the Rajah Buayan police, with troopers from the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion, forced their way into the house and arrested three gunmen.