The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday ordered an intensified pursuit operation after a shootout in General Santos City led to the recovery of nine firearms and raised the possibility that the suspects are part of an organized armed group.

In a statement, PNP chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed the Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 (Soccsksargen) and the General Santos City Police to sustain the hunt for six suspects who escaped following the encounter.

“I have directed PRO-12 and the General Santos City Police Office to intensify the manhunt for the remaining suspects. They must identify the source of the recovered firearms and conduct follow-up operations to prevent further violence. We will ensure that everyone involved is held accountable under the law,” he said.

The operation began after a shooting incident was reported in Barangay Labangal at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The General Santos City Police Station 2 immediately launched a hot pursuit operation with personnel of the City Investigation and Detective Management Unit, City Mobile Force Company, Special Weapons and Tactics, and the City Intelligence Unit.

At about 11 a.m., operatives tracked seven fleeing suspects in Purok Mudia.

Police said the suspects were riding two motorcycles and a motorized tricycle. However, the suspects allegedly opened fire when law enforcers attempted to intercept them. Six suspects were able to flee while one was arrested.

Police identified the arrested suspect as Mohammad Kidto, 35, a driver from Barangay Labangal. Authorities recovered seven shotguns and two semi-automatic shotguns from his possession, for which he failed to present permits or licenses.

Nartatez also ordered investigators to conduct a comprehensive firearms tracing to determine the origin of the recovered weapons and whether they are connected to previous crimes.

“The recovery of several firearms from one suspect is a serious concern. We are investigating whether these weapons are linked to an organized criminal group or another armed network. We will pursue all those involved and determine the source of the firearms," Nartatez said.

Meanwhile, the PNP said it will intensify operations against lawless armed groups following a clash in Banisilan, Cotabato that left three suspects dead during the service of arrest warrants.

Nartatez said the operation demonstrated the police force's resolve to enforce the law against armed fugitives despite the serious risks that come with it.

“The operation gives the public a glimpse of the serious risks that their policemen face on a daily basis in the interest of peace and order, the rule of law, and safety and welfare of everyone,” he said.

The firefight erupted at about 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Sitio Kinamuran, Barangay Pantar, during a joint operation by the Banisilan Municipal Police Station Tracker Team, PRO-12 Regional Intelligence Division Tracker Team Echo, and soldiers of the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion.

The operation targeted the group of Medalya Sultan Tidong, also known as “Commander Tanda,” who is wanted for direct assault, attempted murder, and double frustrated murder with multiple attempted murder.

Authorities were also serving warrants against Zenaida Lao Tidong, alias Madam Auring; Wawie Mananpen Sultan, alias Wawi; Minsu Pagumping Sultan, alias Mra; and Jack Capatoy Sultan, alias Tata, for separate drug, explosives, and firearms cases.

Police said the suspects opened fire after spotting the operating teams, triggering an armed encounter that left three unidentified members of the armed group dead, while the remaining suspects escaped toward Sitio Kalantay.

No government casualties were reported while authorities recovered two M16 rifles and one magazine-fed shotgun from the encounter site.

Meanwhile, the PRO-12 has launched a massive manhunt and created a high-level task force following an ambush that claimed the lives of two frontline police officers on Tuesday evening in Sultan Kudarat.

PRO-12 chief Police Brig. Gen. Allan Manibog ordered the immediate activation of a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to probe the fatal shooting of Police Patrolmen Apollo Morante Pagurayan and Joerel Basilan Bullos.

The victims from the 1202nd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-12 were waylaid while traversing the national highway aboard a motorcycle in Barangay Tinumiguis around 7 p.m.

Pagurayan and Bullos sustained multiple bullets wounds and were declared dead in a hospital.

Pagurayan and Bullos were known as strict law enforcers who were heavily involved in aggressive checkpoint operations on the volatile boundary separating Lambayong, and Sultan sa Barongis in Maguindanao del Sur.

PRO-12 believes the attack was a retaliatory strike carried out by active criminal rings whose operations were disrupted by the officers’ rigorous anti-crime campaign.

PRO-12 has condoled with the families of the fallen officers and assured justice for them. (With a report from Joseph Jubelag)