A MEMBER of a syndicated crime group, with ties to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), was killed in a clash with government forces in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, a top police official announced on Wednesday, September 20.

Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao) director, identified the slain syndicate member as Moner Timbol, 44, a member of the Abdusalam crime group, which is affiliated with the ASG.

Beltran said the firefight occurred around 2:50 p.m., Tuesday, September 19, at Sitio Pulo Panjang in the village of Mamagon, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.

He added that the firefight broke out when the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Public Safety Company policemen chanced upon seven members of the crime group while checking the reported presence of unidentified gunmen.

Beltran said the crime group members fled following a 10-minute firefight leaving behind the remains of Timbol.

Recovered from Timbol’s possession were a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition and a cellular phone.

Timbol has a standing warrant of arrest for the crime of murder issued by the court in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Beltran said the remains of Timbol was turned over to his family for burial rites. (SunStar Philippines)