GOVERNMENT troops have killed a suspected kidnapper in a clash in Zamboanga del Norte, military officials announced Wednesday.

Lieutenant Colonel Danilo Ambe, Army 42nd Infantry Battalion commander, identified the slain suspect as Jul Hassan, allegedly a member of the Jamilon Tukalan group.

The group has been blamed for kidnapping and extortion activities in Zamboanga del Norte.

Ambe said his troops, backed by policemen, were conducting security patrol when they clashed with five followers of the Tukalan group around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the village of Sipakit, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

Ambe said the troops recovered the remains of Hassan. The four other gang members fled.

The troops also recovered from the site a .45 pistol, a .38 revolver, one grenade, and a cellular phone.