DIPOLOG CITY (Mindanao Examiner / June 26, 2014) – Security forces shot dead two suspected rebels, one of them among Western Mindanao’s most wanted criminals, after they fought off Thursday an attempt by authorities to arrest them in Zamboanga del Norte province, officials said.
Officials said police commandos, backed by soldiers, were armed with a warrant and trying to arrest Jaojin Salam on a coastal village in Gutalac town when the rebel and another armed man opened fire on security forces, sparking a firefight that eventually killed the duo.
The two men were tagged by the police in several kidnappings cases and that Salam was listed as the region’s second most wanted man.
Officials said commandos also recovered two M14 rifles from the slain rebels, who were allegedly allied with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which signed a peace deal with Manila in March.
Details of the police operation were not disclosed by officials, saying security forces were still searching for other members of Salam’s gang also blamed for many highway robberies in Zamboanga provinces. (Ely Dumaboc)
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