Several police officers and their station commander have been relieved from their posts following a shootout that resulted in the death of a 12-year-old girl in General Santos City.

Police officers responded to a report of alleged indiscriminate firing in Purok Pandian, Barangay Labangal on April 18, 2026. They said the suspect who was armed with a caliber .45 pistol allegedly opened fire, prompting them to return fire.

The suspect died on the spot. Seized from his possession were a gun and sachets of suspected shabu.

But the exchange of fire killed the girl who was hit in the head. She was brought to a hospital but died while undergoing treatment.

The girl’s family questioned the police operation as they reportedly informed responding officers that there were children inside the house the operatives used as cover.

Based on investigation, the bullet that hit the girl came from the suspect’s gun.

“Ito yung firearm natin, which is a caliber 45 tapos yung kanyang hammer is open siya. That means meron siyang chamber load and yung magazine na nakasaksak sa kanya is an extended mag,” Police Regional Office-12 Regional Forensic Unit Team Leader, Major Armando Galigo, said.

Despite this, authorities are also investigating whether the responding officers exercised proper judgment in engaging the suspect in a crowded area.

“Kapag crowded ang area, dapat mag-isip-isip ka. Pwede natin i-let go ang apprehension o arrest ng suspect. We can still do regular filing of case in court,” Internal Affairs Service-12 Chief, Lt. Col. Henry Cay-as, said.

Three responding officers from Police Station 2 and their station commander, Major Ari Noel Cardos, who had just assumed the position, were relieved.

They may face administrative sanctions if negligence is proven.

“In the meantime, yung station commander, I have directed yung administrative relief to pave the way of impartial and thorough investigation,” PRO-12 Director, Brigadier General Arnold Ardiente, said.

PRO-12 said refresher training for police personnel may be conducted if deemed necessary.

“If there’s a need for refresher training we will do it depende sa finding ng ating regional education and training division,” Ardiente added.