LAMBIGIT (Centrist Democratic Movement Federation of the Philippines)

MARAWI CITY, Philippines – Army troops killed the leader of a criminal gang that kidnapped the son of Commission on Elections Commissioner Elias Yusoph during an encounter in Lanao del Sur on Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, Army 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said Dimaporo Maniri Dimasacal alias Delta was killed in a shootout after soldiers caught up with his band in the towns of Masiu and Lumba-Bayabao.

Last Tuesday, Dimasacal’s band ambushed the soldiers who were on their way to nearby Iligan City to escort personnel from a construction firm working for the Lake Lanao circumferential road, according to Ardo.

A soldier was killed and four others were wounded, he added.

Ardo said troops ran after the band and caught up with them in Masiu and Lumba-Bayabao, where Dimasacal was shot dead.

Ardo said Yusoph’s son Nuraldin was not with the kidnappers when they clashed with troops.

The military will continue searching for Nuraldin for his safe recovery, he added.

Nuraldin was kidnapped last June 20 after coming from a mosque in Barangay Sabala Amanao in Marawi City.

The kidnappers demanded that the results in the special election in the towns of Pikong, Masiu, Malabang and Taraka in Lanao del Sur be voided in exchange for the release of Nuraldin.

However, Comelec officials did not give in to the kidnappers’ demand.

There was also a demand for a large sum of money, according to reports from the Lanao del Sur Provincial Crisis Management Committee headed by Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. – Lino dela Cruz, Jaime Laude, Philstar