A man wanted for alleged murder, and his companion, were killed in an armed confrontation in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on Monday, March 23, 2026.

Authorities served an arrest warrant for murder against the suspect tagged as the number eight most wanted person in the Police Regional Office-SOCCSKSARGEN (PRO-12) when the suspect reportedly resisted arrest.

Police added that as the operating team approached the house of the target, barking dogs alerted the suspect and his companion, who then opened fire at the operatives.

The two were injured when authorities returned fire. They were brought to a hospital but declared dead on arrival.

Seized from the scene were a caliber .45 pistol, a fragmentation grenade, and around 1.14 grams of suspected shabu.

“Nananawagan kami sa mga may kinakaharap na warrant: sumuko nang maayos at huwag nang gumamit ng dahas. Our personnel are trained to exercise maximum tolerance, but we will not hesitate to defend ourselves if our lives are put in immediate danger during the line of duty,” PNP Chief, General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said.