MANILA (UPDATE) — One policeman and an alleged member of a private armed group were killed when government troops serving warrants against a local politician were waylaid by armed men in Maimbung, Sulu Saturday morning.

According to the Philippine National Police, a member of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) was killed in the firefight, while 14 others on the government side were wounded, including 1 soldier.

Authorities were serving warrants on a former vice mayor in Barangay Bualo Lipid, Maimbung, Sulu at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday when they were fired upon by a group of armed men.

Police later identified the politician as former Maimbung, Sulu, Vice Mayor Pando Mudjasan, who was served arrest and search warrants for murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

According to Police MGen. Romeo Caramat Jr., Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director, Mudjasan is a commander of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under Nur Misuari. He is also accused of coddling and supporting members and sub-leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

“Itong akusado at ang kanyang grupo ay umano’y isang Potential Private Armed Group na may iba’t ibang uri ng high-powered firearms at involved sa engkwentro sa Bualo Lipid noong 2017,” Caramat also said.

Combined elements of the AFP and the PNP subsequently engaged in a firefight with the alleged private armed group in Maimbung, Sulu, resulting in casualties in both sides.

Authorities said a cadaver of those involved in the firefight was also recovered, and there are still undetermined number of casualties and wounded from the group of Mudjasan.

They also failed to arrest Mudjasan, who was alerted due to the firefight.

The firefight started at around 7:30 a.m. and ended at around 5:30 p.m. Recovered from the operation were one M14 rifle, 4 magazines, assorted ammunition and other personal items.

All recovered pieces of evidence will be brought to the CIDG Sulu office for proper disposition.

Authorities are also readying the filing of complaints for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law, murder and multiple frustrated murder against Mudjasan and his cohorts.

• At least 3 gov't troops wounded in Sulu after arrest warrant served on politician: police

"I commend the valor and dedication displayed by our law enforcement personnel who participated in the operations. Despite the inherent risks involved, they fearlessly carried out their duty to serve and protect our communities," PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in a statement.

"The PNP will use all our assets and forces to hunt down those people who are involved and we will not stop until they are behind bars," he added.