Kidnap, robbery suspects shot dead

MANILA, Philippines — A suspected kidnap gang member was killed in an alleged encounter with government forces in Sirawai town, Zamboanga del Norte on Tuesday night. 

Police said Jul Hassan of the Jamilon Tukalan gang and his cohorts fired at soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Battalion and personnel of the Zamboanga del Norte police patrolling Barangay Sipakit. 

A .45-caliber pistol, a .38-caliber revolver, a grenade and a cell phone were reportedly recovered from the fatality.

In Bulacan, a man accused of robbing a certain Roberto Garcia in Barangay Sapang Putol in San Ildefonso was gunned down by responding law enforcers at around 1:30 a.m. yesterday. 

Police said the companions of the fatalities managed to escape. – Ramon Efren Lazaro