Lanao del sur: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday initiated a pursuit for the gunmen responsible for the deaths of a police corporal and a civilian in an ambush in Lanao del Sur. The incident has prompted immediate action from law enforcement agencies in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, directives have been dispatched to ground commanders, especially within the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), to locate and apprehend the attackers. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. issued a statement condemning the ambush, emphasizing that the PNP would utilize the full extent of the law in response. Coordination with the military is underway to enhance security measures throughout BARMM.

The victims, identified as Corporal Walid Buleg Sangcopan and a civilian companion, were traveling in a gray Toyota Innova when they were attacked on a remote highway in Barangay Paglamatan, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, before dawn on Saturday. This incident followed a separate ambush in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, which resulted in the deaths of five police personnel and injuries to three others.

The PNP suggested that the Maguindanao ambush might be connected to a local terror group, in light of recent police operations that have disrupted its activities. Nartatez confirmed that efforts are in progress to apprehend those responsible for both attacks.