Five police officers were killed and three others seriously injured after unidentified gunmen ambushed a police team in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, on the night of 28 March.

The police personnel from the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company were on their way back to their detachment after patrol and visibility operations when the attack occurred.

The five slain patrolmen were identified as Kenneth Perocho, Al-Fatah Marohom, Amil Bangsa, Arsenal Sivih and Sayed Ridwan. Injured were P/Lt. Alfred Gregory, P/SSg Adam Kansi and Pat. Abubakar Lauban

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Sunday ordered a thorough investigation and vowed to run after those involved.

“We will not waver. This attack will not go unanswered. Justice will be swift, certain, and uncompromising,” Nartatez said.

Joint police and military forces were deployed to secure the area. The attackers fled and are now the subject of ongoing manhunt operations.