The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday dismissed fears that the recent ambush on police personnel in Shariff Aguak is connected to the postponed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections.

According to a report by RH Edniel Parrosa on DZRH's Operation Tulong, PNP spokesperson PBGen. Randulf Tuaño said a local terrorist group (LTG) is being considered the main suspect in the attack, which left five police officers dead.

“Tinitingnan nila kung ito po ay may kinalaman din sa eleksyon na nabanggit, pero hanggang sa kasalukuyan po wala pang sinasabi na ito ay may directly kaugnayan sa eleksyon,” Tuaño said in a press conference at Camp Crame.

The ambush may have been a “retaliatory attack” in response to a series of operations or accomplishments by the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company over the past months.

“Ang sinasabi po purely this is possibly a retaliatory act sa sinasabing grupo ng kanilang hinahabol sa ngayon,” he added.

The incident occurred late Saturday night, March 28, as eight policemen were returning to their base from a patrol. Five officers, including team leader Pol. Capt., were killed, while three others were wounded.

Tuaño also said the PNP is investigating whether provincial directors failed in their duties, citing the absence of a police outpost in the area despite previous ambush incidents in the same location.