Asia-Pacific

9 kidnappers killed in S Philippines

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-08 13:29

MANILA - Nine suspected members of kidnap- for-ramson group were allegedly killed Thursday afternoon following a clash with local police forces in Southern Philippines.

Related readings:  Philippine gov't urges crackdown on drug smuggling  HK jurors blame massacre in part on Philippine government  1 Chinese killed, 4 injured in N. Philippines  Philippine lawmakers impeach anti-graft official

Director Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Western Mindanao, identified one of the casualties as Kamsa Asdanal, the leader of the bandit.

The military said on Friday that the police and security forces were serving a warrant of arrest against notorious kidnap for ransom group led by Kamsa Asdanal when they were met with volley of fire around 2 p.m. Thursday in a coast town of Zamboanga Sibugay province.

The troops exchanged fires with the gunmen, resulting in the death of the suspected kidnappers.

"The group of Asdanal were responsible in the spate of kidnapping, piracy and highway robbery," Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman of Western Mindanao Command said.

He said the security forces spotted the two bodies of the gunmen and tried to recover them but were met by heavy volume of gunfire.

The attack wounded two of the police forces and triggered the continuous fighting which lasted for almost four hours.