CAMP GENERAL ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan – Six suspected members of a kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) group were killed on Saturday morning in a running gun battle with government troops starting in Bulacan and ending in Manila.

The gang members, who remain unidentified as of press time, died from gunshot wounds.

Reports said the gang members were killed after they shoot it out with combined police and military operatives.

Senior Superintendent Diosdado G. Ramos, acting Bulacan police director, citing the report of his deputy, Supt. David N. Poklay, said the running gun battle started after the government troops safely rescued a female kidnap victim who was found abandoned by her abductors in the mezzanine of the group's hideout at Royale Subdivision in Barangay Sto. Cristo, San Jose del Monte City, this province.

Earlier, the Bulacan police received a report that a wealthy female trader was abducted somewhere in Manila by unidentified gunmen last October 8.

Ramos said that after authorities traced the whereabouts of the suspects, based on information of Barangay Sto. Cristo residents, the teams conducted an operation against the KFR group.  Residents said they became suspicious after armed men rented a house in their place and all windows are covered with newspapers.

With the help of the victim’s family who have been in touch with the suspects, lawmen started to discreetly follow a Honda Civic bearing license plate number UFE 317 used by theransom courier.

After ordering the ransom courier to proceed to different areas in Quezon City, the ransom-takers on board a maroon Toyota Innova with license plate number CTY 158 finally took the money at around 9:35 p.m. Friday within the vicinity of Gotesco Commonwealth and drove straight to Royal Subdivision.

After 30 minutes, the Toyota Innova and a black Mitsubishi Galant with license plate number XBV 606 left the subdivision for Metro Manila.

A checkpoint set up in Valenzuela was ignored. This prompted lawmen to fire at the suspects and the running gun battle ensued.