The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said hot pursuit operations were launched against two armed groups involved in the deadly firefight in Pandag, Maguindanao del Sur.

AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said armed group sympathetic to the chairman of Barangay Lower Dilag, clashed against the group of a certain Morsid Mamalinta last Saturday resulting a death of two people.

One fatality was identified as a candidate for municipal councilor, while the identity of the other fatality has yet to be determined. Another person was also injured and seven were arrested following the encounter.

Padilla explained the AFP may augment the deployment of its personnel in areas where there are serious threats, considering the upcoming May 12 national and local elections.

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“Depending on the category of the area, doon din nagde-depende ang deployment natin. So kung mas malakas ang threat and the risk factor dito sa particular area, mas malaki din ang deployment natin doon,” she added.

(Our deployment depends on the category of the area. So if the threat and the risk factor are stronger in a particular area, our deployment there will also be bigger.)

She also said the AFP is currently operating in both combat and election modes.

“Monitored threats from local terrorist groups and lawless elements are being addressed with appropriate contingency measures as we work in dual mode—election and combat mode,” Padilla said.