A MEMBER of a kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) involved in the kidnapping of an Italian priest 12 years ago was killed in a shootout in Zamboanga City, the police said Wednesday, June 12.

Police Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, identified the slain KFRG member as Masdal Jakaria.

Martir said the lawmen were serving a search warrant around 1 a.m. Wednesday in Mampang village when the shootout ensued as Jakaria opened fire upon sensing their arrival prompting them to return fire hitting the suspect.

The police director said the raiding team immediately requested for medical assistance but Jakaria was pronounced dead by the examining physician.

He said the raiding team recovered from Jakaria a caliber .45 pistol and empty shells of the same caliber as well as bomb-making components consisting of five pieces blasting caps and detonating cord.

Martir said that Jakaria is a follower of the Muloc and Waning Abdusalam KFRG based in Zamboanga Sibugay. He was involved in the kidnapping of Italian priest, Fr. Giancarlo Bossi on June 10, 2007 in the village of Bulawan, Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The KFRG freed Bossi on July 19 of the same year in the town of Karomatan, Lanao del Norte near the boundary with Lanao del Sur province.

Bossi died of lung cancer on September 23, 2012 at the age of 62 in Milan, Italy. (SunStar Philippines)