GENERAL SANTOS CITY (June 8)— A man accused of taking part in a deadly ambush that killed five police officers in Maguindanao del Sur was arrested Saturday, June 6, while passing through security screening at the General Santos City International Airport.
Nickson Kamangon, also known by the aliases Nexon and Nelson, had been the subject of an intensive manhunt following the March 28, 2026 attack in Barangay Mother Poblacion, Shariff Aguak. Authorities tagged him as the No. 1 most wanted person at the provincial level and the No. 9 most wanted person in the Bangsamoro region.
His arrest ended months of pursuit by law enforcement agencies and delivered a significant breakthrough in the investigation of one of the deadliest attacks against police personnel in the region this year.
Police said Kamangon, an alleged member of the Dawlah Islamiya-Hassan Group, was intercepted at the airport in Barangay Tambler through a coordinated operation involving police, military, and other law enforcement units.
Authorities said he is facing multiple counts of murder, frustrated murder, and robbery with violence or intimidation of persons under a warrant issued by a court in Shariff Aguak.
Investigators linked Kamangon to the March ambush that left five police officers dead and three others wounded, an attack that drew widespread condemnation and triggered intensified operations against those believed responsible.
Police Brigadier General Christopher Abecia, acting regional director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), hailed the arrest as a major step toward justice.
“This victory is a clear testament to our steadfast commitment to pursuing those involved in crime wherever they may be. We will continue to deliver justice for the victims, their families, and the communities we serve,” Abecia said.
“Let this serve as a reminder that no one can escape the law and accountability for their actions,” he added.
Abecia said the operation underscored the importance of close coordination among law enforcement agencies in tracking down fugitives and dismantling criminal networks.
He added that authorities remain committed to maintaining peace and order across the Bangsamoro region and ensuring that those accused of violent crimes are brought before the courts.
The arrest marked another significant development in the government’s continuing efforts to hold accountable those behind the deadly Shariff Aguak attack, while offering a measure of hope and justice to the families of the slain police officers.
