A SUSPECTED kidnap-for-ransom-group leader was killed while two police officers were wounded in a shootout in Zamboanga del Sur, a top police official said Tuesday.
Zamboanga Peninsula Police director Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran identified the fatality as Fahad Andi, leader of the criminal gang Andi group.
The wounded policemen were identified as Inspector Anjelo Acuzar and Police Officer 2 Jerom Tare.
Beltran said Andi was killed in a clash with joint police and military forces around 10:50 a.m. Monday, March 6, in the village of Pampang, Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Beltran said a 30-minute gunfight ensued as Andi opened fire at the authorities.
Andi, who is listed as the number one most wanted person in Zamboanga Peninsula, fled to the coast of Pampang, Lapuyan, but the troops caught him.
Beltran said the Andi Group is involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs in the towns of Lapuyan, Dinas, Margosatubig and other areas in Zamboanga del Sur. The group is also involved in kidnapping, gun for hire, robbery and extortion activities in Zamboanga del Sur.
He said the troops recovered at the clash site one caliber .45 pistol with a magazine loaded two live ammunition, one fragmentation grenade, four sachets of illegal drugs, a police camouflage uniform, and other drug paraphernalia. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)