NORTH COTABATO – Two members of a criminal gang were killed and three army soldiers wounded in a clash in the troubled province of Maguindanao in the Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines, officials said Friday.
Officials said policemen, backed by army soldiers, were to serve warrants for the arrest of gangs under Mayogantong Bansil in the town of General Salipada Pendatun when gunmen attacked them, sparking a fire fight in the village of Makainis. One gunman, Ryan Mayogantong, was also captured during the fighting.
Lt. Col. Ricky Bunayog, commander of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, said the gang was involved in the spate of killings, ransom kidnappings, and arson among other crimes in the province.
The operation was launched by the military and police. The identities of the slain gang members were still unknown, but Bunayog identified the wounded soldiers as Sgt. Aurelio Ferrer, Cpl. Marcial Duri and Pfc. Denemar Albani.
Bunayog said troops also recovered from the gang’s hideout a Barrett sniper rifle, an M1 rifle, one M16 automatic rifle, grenade launcher, one round of rocket propelled grenade and ammunition. (Rhoderick Beñez)
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