Multiple murder suspect killed in Maguindanao del Norte shootout

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A multiple murder suspect allegedly involved in large-scale shabu peddling was killed, while his companion was arrested, in a police operation Tuesday night, August 19, in Barangay Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters Wednesday, August 20, that personnel of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station, led by Lt. Col. Esmael Madin, were forced to neutralize one of their targets, Buto Butingkol, after he drew a gun and opened fire, sparking a shootout.

Butingkol, a known hired killer tagged in more than 20 deadly gun attacks since 2019, was declared dead on arrival at a hospital where police and civilian responders rushed him for treatment.

De Guzman said Madin’s team, backed by other PRO-BAR units, was serving an arrest warrant against Butingkol and his companions — Pepe Butingkol, Musanip Butingkol, Faizal Razak, and Dave Midtimbang — when the supposed peaceful operation turned violent.

Barangay leaders and police investigators said Butingkol fired at the officers as they approached their hideout in Sitio Siawan, Barangay Tamontaka, forcing police to return fire.

Butingkol and his companions had been indicted for murder before Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Cotabato City, which issued the warrant police sought to serve.

Midtimbang, who is also facing other criminal charges, was cornered and arrested after Butingkol was gunned down. The rest of the suspects managed to escape and are now the subject of a joint military-police manhunt.

De Guzman said Midtimbang remains in custody while awaiting prosecution for his pending criminal cases.