Kidnap gang leader slain

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – An alleged leader of a kidnap gang operating in the Zamboanga peninsula was killed in an alleged shootout with police and military operatives in Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday.

Fahad Andi, whose group was also tagged in extortion and drug trafficking, engaged members of Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga peninsula, Lanao) in a firefight that lasted for 30 minutes in Barangay Pampang in Lapuyan town, according to the Western Mindanao Command.

Guns, ammunition and a police camouflage uniform were reportedly among those recovered from the fatality.

Andi was ranked second on the list of “high-value” suspects in the Zamboanga peninsula, police said.