Wanted gang leader killed in Maguindanao shootout

Kamlon Manardas Ragundo, a 34-year-old wanted leader of a notorious criminal gang, was killed in a shootout with police and Philippine Marines in Barangay Panggao, Barira, Maguindanao del Norte on Monday, May 5.

Ragundo and his escaped followers are facing multiple charges including armed robbery, extortion, multiple murder, and drug trafficking in courts in Cotabato City and Lanao del Sur.

The operation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (CIDG-BARMM), local police units, and the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 (MBLT-2) to serve multiple arrest warrants.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Juan Macapaz, PRO-BAR Director, stated that Ragundo initiated the gunfight by drawing a gun and firing at the authorities.

Barangay leaders reported that Ragundo was felled by rifle shots while attempting to throw a fragmentation grenade at the law enforcement operatives.

Ragundo's group was previously identified as being involved in gun-for-hire activities, armed robberies, and drug trafficking, and reportedly had ties to the Dawlah Islamiya-Hassan Group.

This operation took place a day after the town of Barira declared the DI-Hassan Group persona non grata.