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...