Retired Police Major Killed in Maguindanao Ambush

Photo courtesy of Philstar

A retired police major, Elias Dandan, and his companion, Raymond Bioy, were killed in an ambush on March 3 in Barangay Pagagawan, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur. The victims were traveling in a black Mitsubishi Strada on the Cotabato-Davao Highway when armed assailants attacked with pistols, resulting in their immediate deaths. The attackers fled on motorcycles, leaving local authorities to launch an investigation into the incident.

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Dandan, a resident of Barangay Calawag in Pikit town, Cotabato, previously served as a Philippine National Police major and was actively involved in peacebuilding initiatives. He was noted for his role as a peace and security adviser to the municipal government and for supporting community relations programs in Cotabato’s first district. His efforts in fostering religious and cultural unity between Christian and Muslim communities in Pikit were widely recognized.

Police Brigadier General Jaysen de Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, stated that local leaders and traditional Moro authorities are committed to aiding in the investigation to identify those responsible. The ambush has raised concerns about safety and the ongoing efforts to maintain peace in the region, a critical area within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Looking forward, the local police are intensifying their efforts to bring the assailants to justice. The involvement of traditional Moro leaders is seen as a vital step in bridging community cooperation with the authorities. Further developments are awaited as investigators piece together evidence and testimonies to aid in resolving this case, reported Philstar.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Philstar · 04 Mar 2026