PAGADIAN CITY – A notorious bandit leader and a police commando were killed in a firefight early Wednesday in Zamboanga del Norte province in southern Philippines, officials said.
Officials said police forces swooped down on the hideout of Omar Arassi in Salvacion village in Labason town and engaged his group in a clash that killed him and one of his followers, including PO2 Alejandro Gafungle, a member of the Special Action Force.
Another bandit, Elmer Mucadam, was also captured by the police and is currently being interrogated. Police were trying to arrest Arassi when he and his followers clashed with the raiders. The fighting lasted over 30 minutes.
Police also recovered assorted weapons and munitions from Arassi’s hideout. Arassi, alias Commander Sapii, was one of the most wanted criminals in western Mindanao and facing a string of murder cases and banditry in Zamboanga Peninsula.
Last year, police also raided another hideout of Arassi in Labason town and killed one of his men and arrested another follower Arassi. In 2013, Arassi’s group also attacked the villages of Lawigan and Balas – all in Labason – and shot at least 3 people. (Ely Dumaboc)
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