2 'crime syndicate' members killed in Zambo Norte

Google map of Zamboanga del Norte.

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Two alleged members of a crime syndicate who had links with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed Sunday in a law enforcement operation in Zamboanga del Norte, a police official said Monday.

Maj. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the slain suspects as Ebrahim Ahil and a cohort, Jaripal Ahil, both allegedly members of the Muloc crime syndicate group.

Ebrahim, who faced murder and attempted murder charges, was listed as "top 1" most wanted person in Zamboanga del Norte, while Jaripal was charged with attempted murder, Galvez said.

The two were killed when a shootout broke out between them and the policemen who were serving a warrant of arrest against Ebrahim Sunday morning in Barangay Candelaria in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte.

Galvez said the two suspects were rushed to the Liloy Integrated Hospital but were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Jaripal yielded a .45-caliber pistol with several rounds of ammunition, a grenade, a hunting knife, and other personal belongings, while police officers recovered from Ebrahim a grenade, .45-caliber pistol with several rounds of ammunition, and personal belongings.

Police said the Muloc crime group operated in the towns of Salug, Liloy, Godod, and Tampilisan in Zamboanga del Norte. The group was also involved in various illegal activities such as extortion, robbery, kidnap-for-ransom, and gun-for-hire, police said.

The leader of the group, identified as Abner Gumandol, was killed in a law enforcement operation in 2016 in Barangay Kaliantana, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay, police said.

Gumandol had a warrant of arrest for kidnapping issued by the court in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, according to the police. (PNA)