2 suspected extortionists die in clash

COTABATO CITY — Soldiers clashed with heavily-armed extortionists in North Upi, Maguindanao the other day, killing two of the gunmen and wounding three others, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said.

Major Julieto Ando, 6th ID’s spokesman, said the armed men, also blamed for the recent spate of cattle-rustling in the area, were on their way to a farming village in Barangay Tinungkaan in North Upi, a hinterland town, when they chanced upon patrolling members of the 57th Infantry Battalion and opened fire, starting a gunbattle.

Ando said the soldiers, led by 2Lts. Dennis Guillermo and Randy Galiza, outmaneuvered the gunmen, killing two of them and wounding at least three others.

The suspects fled in different directions leaving behind three gauge 12 combat shotguns, a caliber .22 hunting rifle and an M-14 assault rifle.

Ando said the armed group had been roaming farming communities in Barangay Tinungkaan, collecting protection money from farmers and threatening attacks if local villagers would refuse to shell out cash. — John Unson