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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Tarzan' arrested for bomb attack, death of 2 barangay security officers in Sultan Kudarat

'Tarzan' arrested for bomb attack, death of 2 barangay security officers in Sultan Kudarat

Published Aug 22, 2026 04:18 pm
Intelligence agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested a man tagged in the bomb attack at the public transportation terminal in Sultan Kudarat in a raid in his safehouse in Lambayog town on Friday, Aug. 21.
Joher Sapalon, known among his colleagues as Tarzan, tried to flee by shooting it out with the arresting officers but his escape route was sealed off and he was captured after he was hit in the leg.
How the police handled the situation is what impressed PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. as the arresting lawmen for observing the police operational procedure despite the shootout.
It was the arresting team who also took Sapalon to the hospital in Sultan Kudarat for treatment.
Sapalon was included in the national level most wanted list for his involvement in a bombing activity at the Isulan Integrated Public Terminal in Sultan Kudarat on April 17, 2023.
The bomb attack injured three minors and at least four more people and resulted in the filing of the case
Aside from terrorism-related cases, Sapalon is also facing two cases of murder—one for the death of a 60-year old barangay security officer on July 17, 2021 and another barangay tanod on April 7, 2021, both in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat.
“The operation against wanted persons is not only about justice and the rule of law, it is also about giving the Filipino people the assurance that our justice system works and those who would violate the law will be held accountable,” said Nartatez.
Seized from Sapalon were a 9mm pistol, inserted with one magazine loaded with three live ammunition and three pieces of fired cartridge casing.
“This operation is a commitment to the Filipino people in maintaining peace and order and ensuring the rule of law, as well as a strong message to criminal elements of the PNP’s aggressive campaign against them,” said Nartatez.

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PNP Wanted persons Sultan Kudarat
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