Troops, crime group clash in Zambo

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 7): Troops, crime group clash in Zambo

Government security forces clashed with a syndicated crime group involved in extortion and kidnapping activities in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, a top police official said Wednesday.

Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 director, said the clash happened at around 12:08 p.m. Tuesday in Sitio Monob, Barangay Daniel Maing, Kalawit, Zamoanga del Norte.

Beltran said joint police and military forces were on combat patrol when they encountered more or less 20 gunmen, who are said to be members of a crime syndicate.

He said the firefight lasted for around 30 minutes after which the armed men fled towards the hinterlands.

He said there were no casualties on both the government and the enemy side. The armed men are reportedly involved in extortion and kidnapping activities in Kalawit and in nearby areas.

He said the troops recovered from the clash site the following: one KG9 (9-mm Luger) assault rifle with ammunition; a rifle grenade; a fragmentation grenade; 10 sets of hammock; four sets of fatigue uniforms; six backpacks; a binocular; four flashlights; a cellular phone; and empty shells for M-16 Armalite rifle and M-14 rifle.

He said troops are tracking down the whereabouts of the syndicate crime group members.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024432