Police kill Butingkol, arrest Midtimbang in Maguindanao

A law enforcement operation in Barangay Tamontaka, Maguindanao del Norte, resulted in the death of a wanted person and the arrest of another suspect on Tuesday night.

During the operation led by Lt. Col. Esmail Madin, police confronted armed suspects who were resisting arrest, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

Buto Butingkol was fatally wounded during the shootout and died while being transported to the hospital.

Dave Pasandalan Midtimbang was also arrested but is recovering from gunshot wounds at Cotabato Regional Medical Center under heavy guard.

The police operation aimed to serve arrest warrants for murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Cotabato City against five suspects, including Butingkol and Midtimbang.

Three additional suspects are now being sought by law enforcement as part of an ongoing manhunt.