Suspected kidnap group leader, 10 others killed in Zambo Sibugay clash

Eleven people, including a suspected leader of a kidnap-for-ransom group operating in southern Philippines, were killed while two policemen were hurt following a clash in Zamboanga Sibugay on Thursday. Police Director Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Western Mindanao, identified the suspected kidnap ring leader as Kamsa Asdanal. Authorities described Asdanal as a former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) member who reportedly provides sanctuary to other KFR groups, including the one headed by one Waning Abdusalam. Field reports showed that around 9 a.m. Thursday, local policemen were serving a warrant of arrest against Asdanal when the latter resisted and assaulted the law enforcers. Aside from Asdanal, also killed in the firefight were his son, Omar alias "Polis," and nine other people who were not immediately identified. Senior Inspector Philmore Demagat and Police Officer 1 Jesus Dumadaog, both from the provincial police office were wounded in the clash. Authorities recovered four Garand rifles, two M14 rifles, an M16 rifle, an M79 rifle, and assorted ammunition. Khu noted that the elder Asdanal was being arrested not for any kidnap-for-ransom activities but for double murder. "The victims did not file a [kidnapping] case against him for fear of retaliation from his group," Khu said. Police records showed that Asdanal's group's last victim was Maria Cris Cuartocruz, who was kidnapped on Dec. 14, 2010 and was released three months later in March 2011 reportedly in exchange for a P1.3-million ransom. Khu said Asdanal was also responsible for the series of alleged extortion on fishing vessel owners and bus operators in the Zamboanga peninsula. — RSJ, GMA News