General Santos City — A manhunt operation has been launched following the death of a soldier who was ambushed by still unidentified suspects at Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao del Norte recently.

The victim, identified as Staff Sergeant Darwin Alaba, was declared dead on arrival in a hospital while his companion identified as Private First Class Edwin Villa is still in critical condition.

Initial reports disclosed that the two were gunned down upon reaching Sitio Sandakan, Barangay Dalumangcob, Sultan Kudarat last Saturday afternoon.

It also revealed that the two victims just came from the 1st Brigade Combat Team Headquarters on board a motorcycle when the unidentified suspects ambushed them.