Manila, Philippines — Joint police and military operatives killed a leader of a kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) group following a 30-minute gunbattle in Pualas, Lanao del Sur, police reported on Tuesday.

Senior Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr., spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the group of slain KFR leader Khalid Pansar was believed to be the one who abducted businessman Abdulkarim Magarang last week in Marawi City.
 
The group is allegedly demanding P2 million in exchange for the release of the victim.

At around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Cruz said Army troopers and police intelligence operatives chanced upon the group in Barangay Lumbak in Pualas town, triggering a firefight.

It was not clear, however, if Magarang was with the group of Pansar when the clash erupted.

But Cruz said the gunbattle resulted in the death of Pansar.

Pansar is known to be the leader of a ragtag bandits operating in Lanao del Sur and is facing a string of charges, including attempted murder.

Meanwhile, Philippine Air Force (PAF) operatives captured a member of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) during operations in Jolo, Sulu over the weekend.

The capture follows the neutralization of Abu Sayyaf commander Gaful Jumdail and two of his followers following a clash with government forces in Maimbung, Sulu on Saturday.

PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Miguel Okol identified the arrested extremist militant as Jul Puti, who has a pending warrant of arrest for his alleged involvement in the Jehovah’s Witness kidnapping incident back in August 2002.

According to Okol, Puti was tracked down by operatives of the 300th Air Intelligence and Security Group (AISG) in coordination with members of the Jolo police department.

Oko disclosed that Puti was arrested at Camp Asturias in Jolo by virtue of a warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.