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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Nartatez orders manhunt for gunman who killed praying cop inside mosque in Lanao del Sur

Nartatez orders manhunt for gunman who killed praying cop inside mosque in Lanao del Sur

Published Jun 22, 2026 02:49 pm

At A Glance

  • Police Chief Master Sergeant Alioden Sarangani, of the Madamba Municipal Police Station, was fatally shot in the head while performing evening prayers inside a mosque in Barangay Uyaan Proper, Lanao del Sur, on June 20.
  • PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) and neighboring units to launch an intensive and coordinated operation to track down the unidentified assailant.
  • Amid the ongoing investigation into the motive and possible suspect affiliations, the PNP has reinforced its security presence across Lanao del Sur to maintain peace and reassure local communities of their safety.
PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo)
PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo)
Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), on Monday, June 22, directed a manhunt operation for a gunman who fatally shot a police officer inside a mosque in Madamba, Lanao del Sur.
Police Chief Master Sergeant Alioden Sarangani, of the Madamba Municipal Police Station, was off-duty and performing isha, the last daily Islamic prayer, when an unidentified gunman entered the mosque, approached him, and shot him in the head in Barangay Uyaan Proper around 7:40 p.m. on June 20.
The motive behind the killing has yet to be determined by investigators.
“The Philippine National Police strongly condemns this brutal attack on one of our personnel, especially in a place of worship,” Nartatez said, noting that the brazen attack in a sacred space prompted a swift response from the national police leadership.
He said the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) has coordinated intelligence and operational measures to determine the identity of the gunman and the motive behind the killing.
While investigators continue to probe the suspect's potential affiliations, the PNP has reinforced security presence across Lanao del Sur to prevent further violence.
“I have ordered the RD [regional director], PRO BAR [Police Brig. Gen. Christopher M. Abecia] and neighboring regional offices to deploy all available intelligence and tactical resources in an intensified, border-to-border manhunt to bring all those responsible to justice,” Nartatez added.
Addressing the victim’s family, the PNP chief vowed that the loss would not be in vain.
“To the family of Police Chief Master Sergeant Sarangani, the entire Philippine National Police stands with you in grief, and we assure you that his ultimate sacrifice while in a sacred house of prayer will not be in vain,” he said.
Local police units were also tasked to deepen intelligence coordination with community leaders to restore order. The PNP leadership emphasized that such acts of violence will not deter their mission to secure the region.
“I want to reassure the residents of Lanao del Sur that this cowardly attack will not break our resolve. We are pouring heavily visible police forces into your communities to restore order and ensure your absolute safety,” Nartatez stated.

Related Tags

PNP Police Chief Master Sergeant Alioden Sarangani Madamba Lanao del Sur mosque crime
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