Manila, Oct. 29 -- Authorities arrested three suspected members of a private armed group (PAG) in Maguindanao del Sur on Tuesday night, linked to the shooting of a trader in Rajah Buayan town, a police official said.

Capt. Joel Lebrilla, Rajah Buayan municipal police chief, stated in a report on Wednesday that the three individuals were implicated in the attempted murder of businessman Anton Mamalinta, a resident of Barangay Dapantis.

"The incident occurred around 7 p.m. while Mamalinta was in Barangay Baital, also in Rajah Buayan. The trader, however, escaped unharmed," Lebrilla said.

He said the trader immediately alerted the police about the attempt on his life, prompting a pursuit operation that led to the suspects' arrest.

Police...