Kidnap, arson suspect with P1.2-M bounty killed at checkpoint

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—Soldiers manning a checkpoint in North Cotabato shot dead a man, who later turned out to be a kidnapping and arson suspect whose capture carried a P1.2 million bounty.

Colonel Prudencio Asto, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the soldiers had flagged down Mustapha Guindalangan, who was driving a motorcycle, as he was passing by a military checkpoint in Barangay Villarica in Midsayap town around 4:15 p.m. on Monday.

Instead of stopping, Asto said Guindalangan drew out a hand grenade and tried to toss it against the soldiers, who decided to run after him.

“The soldiers opened fire, hitting the suspect in his legs and body. He fell off his motorbike,” Asto said.

He said the soldiers rushed Guindalangan to a hospital but he died before receiving any medication.