2 most wanted in Mindanao slain in encounter

Members of the Scene of the Crime Operations conduct the standard operating procedure on the bodies of the two slain suspected kidnappers. Inquirer Mindanao / Leah Agonoy

PAGADIAN CITY–Two members of the notorious Anwar Ansang group, tagged as behind the April 3 kidnapping of an employee of a marine products firm in Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay, were killed in a clash with authorities in Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday.

Chief Inspector Felixberto Rule Jr., Dinas town police chief, said killed in an operation conducted by the Task Force Tugis in Sitio Balaisan in Barangay East Migpulao in Dinas were Moamar Ansang Fermin, 36; and Suad Abang Esmael, 32.

Rule said Fermin was the top 7 most wanted person in Zamboanga del Sur and faced several murder charges, while Esmael was the second most wanted person in Dinas.

He said the suspects were members of the Anwar Ansang group, which was behind the kindapping of Laarni Bandi, an employee of Cilebes Marine Products in Malangas.

Rule said two other members of the group, identified as 23-year-old Hadad Giapal Nanding and Mahadam Yunos Giapal, 28, were arrested during the operation.

Also recovered were several firearms, including a Colt M16 rifle.

The two arrested suspects are now under the custody of the Dinas police, according to Rule.

Dinas Mayor Felicito Chavez said the deaths of the two most wanted members of the Anwar Ansang group and the arrest of two other gangmen provided relief to businessmen, who had been victimized by their extortion activities. /jpv