Ex-cop arrested for cop’s murder in Cotabato City
Cotabato City map. INQUIRER FILES
The Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group Mindanao Field Unit (AKG-MFU) together with the Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO) arrested along Almonte St., Barangay Poblacion 5 here on Monday a high-profile suspect with multiple warrants.
Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, director of Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (Probar), identified the suspect as Abdulpatac Maguid Pantacan, alias Patac, 33, of Poblacion 2 in Parang town, Maguindanao del Norte and a former police officer assigned at Basilan Provincial Police Office.
Patac, according to Macapaz, was arrested for murder and three anti-carnapping cases.
He is the primary suspect in the killing of Police Senior Master Sergeant John Manuel Bongcawil at City Mall car park in Gov. Gutierrez Avenue here,which last December 1, 2024 .
“They have a group involved in different crimes, based on our investigation,” Macapaz said, adding that there are other suspects involved in the killing of Bongcawil.
Bongcawil was on his way to his car together with his family when shot dead by unidentified gunmen.
Patac’s warrant for murder was issued by Regional Trial Court (Branch 27 in Cotabato City last February 24, 2025, with no recommended bail bond.
He is now placed under custody of AKG-MFU office in PC Hill, Rosary Heights 1, Cotabato City.
Police Col. Jibin Bongcayao, CCPO director, told the Inquirer that Pantacan is also involved in gun-for-hire activities.
Meanwhile, Macapaz lauded its police personnel for arresting Pantacan.
“We are still probing why they killed Bongcawil,” Macapaz said, adding that the suspect was an AWOL (Absent without official leave) police officer, after his involvement in different crimes.
In a separate report of the Army’s 1st Marine Brigade, Pantacan had been under surveillance for his involvement in a wide range of criminal activities.
“Intelligence reports linked him to targeted killings of police personnel, illegal firearms trade, carnapping, and large-scale smuggling operations in Koronadal, Pagadian, and Cotabato cities,” according to Brig. Gen. Romulo Quemado II, 1st Marine Brigade commander.
Pantacan was dismissed from the police service on March 23, 2023 after his AWOL.
“He established the Pantacan Group, a syndicate known to engage in organized criminal operations, including gun-for-hire, vehicle theft and involvement in the illegal cigarette trade,” Quemado said.
“The operation was a major tactical success and a critical blow against criminal influence in Central Mindanao,” Quemado said, adding that “the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in partnership with law enforcement agencies, remain committed to ensuring the rule of law and neutralizing individuals who threaten peace and order.”/lzb
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