Two people, including a candidate for municipal councilor, were killed while another was injured in a firefight involving two armed groups and government troops in Pandag, Maguindanao del Sur on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Lt. Col. Felmax Lodriguito, Jr., commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, identified one of the fatalities as alias “Mengko,” a candidate for councilor in the town. The other victim is yet to be identified, as of this writing.

The 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said seven people were also arrested during the operation.

According to the military, the gun battle between two armed groups, allegedly connected to rival local candidates, started at dawn.

Troops from the 2nd Mechanized Battalion, 4th Special Action Battalion of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Pandag Municipal Police Station responded to the area to de-escalate the tension.

However, around 15 armed men allegedly fired shots at them, prompting the government forces to retaliate.

The exchange of fire lasted for about an hour and a half.

After the clearing operation, authorities recovered several firearms, including three M16 rifles, two Garand rifles, an M653 rifle with M203 grenade launcher, three 40mm grenades, and ammunition.

No casualty was reported on the government side.

Security operations are ongoing in the area to ensure public safety.

"Paiigtingin pa natin ang mabilis, maingat, at agarang aksyon upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa Pandag. Sa kabila ng panganib, patuloy na ginagampanan ng ating mga kasundaluhan at kapulisan ang kanilang tungkulin nang buong katapangan at propesyonalismo,” 6ID Commander, Major General Donald Gumiran, said.

“Ang ganitong klaseng operasyon ay mahalaga sa pagtiyak ng ligtas, tapat, at maayos na halalan sa ating rehiyon. Hindi tayo mag-aatubiling harapin at supilin ang sinumang magtatangkang manggulo ngayong halalan," Gumiran added.

Based on data gathered by GMA Integrated News Research, Pandag is classified as election area of concern under orange category, which means a combination of two or more factors under the yellow category is present.

According to a report by GMA News Online, areas under yellow category have reported suspected election-related incidents in the past two polls, provided there was no participation of domestic terror groups. The areas should also be previously declared under Comelec control and reported the possible presence of armed groups, and intense political rivalries.