Suspect in ambush of 5 cops nabbed in General Santos City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —The primary suspect in the fatal ambush of five police officers in Shariff Aguak town in March was arrested at the General Santos City airport on Saturday, the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office said.

According to the MDSPPO, Nickson Gayak Kamangon, also known by the aliases Nexon and Nelson, was going through airport security screening on his way to Manila when police and soldiers served the warrants of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 15 of Shariff Aguak.

Kamangon is facing charges of five counts of murder, three for frustrated murder and robbery. No bail is recommended for his release.

Police said he is listed as the Number 1 most wanted in the province and is tagged as a Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group ranking member.

Local officials said Kamangon is one of three people who planned the March 28 attack on a team of policemen returning to their headquarters in Barangay Mother Poblacion from a routine patrol.

Patrolmen Kenneth Perocho, Al-Fatah Marohom, Amil Bangsa, Arsenal Sivih and Sayed Ridwan died in the ambush. Three officers – Lt. Alfred Gregory, S/Sgt. Adam Kamarudin Kansi and Pat. Abubakar Lauban – were wounded.

Capt. Steffie Salanguit, spokesperson for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Police Office, said Kamangon is under the custody of the MDSPPO.

“This arrest reflects the unwavering commitment of the Philippine National Police to pursue those who harm our personnel and threaten public safety. The PNP-Aviation Security Group remains steadfast in supporting all law enforcement efforts to ensure that justice is served,” said PNP-ASG chief Brig. Gen. Dionisio Bartolome Jr. — Rudy Santos