Manila: A wanted individual was killed, and his companion was injured and subsequently arrested during a police operation in Barangay Tamontaka on Tuesday night.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Col. Esmail Madin, the chief of the municipal police station who led the operation, identified the deceased as Buto Butingkol. Butingkol was injured during a shootout with the police and succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital.

Police operatives, equipped with arrest warrants from the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Cotabato City for murder, targeted a safehouse in Sitio Siawan, Barangay Tamontaka, around 10 p.m. on Tuesday. The operation met resistance from the suspects, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. "They resisted, forcing our troops to fire back," Lt. Col. Madin stated during a radio interview on Wednesday.

The warrants were intended for Buto Butingkol, Raizal Rajak, Musanip Butingkol, Pepe Butingkol, and Dave Pasandalan Midtimbang. While Buto Butingkol and Midtimbang were apprehended, both sustained injuries during the confrontation. Butingkol died from his injuries, while Midtimbang is under heavy police guard as he recovers from gunshot wounds at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City.

A manhunt is currently underway for the three remaining suspects who remain at large.