Cops kill 2 'Bye-bye' kidnap gang members in daring rescue

MANILA, Philippines - Two members of the "Bye-bye" kidnap-for-ransom group were killed in a shootout with policemen in Davao City on Thursday morning.

Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, Davao City police chief, said that the suspects were with their kidnap victim, Sally Chua, when they were encountered by the policemen.

Dela Rosa said police operatives caught up with the suspects' group outside the Allied Bank branch along the busy C.M. Recto Avenue at around 11:30 a.m.

The two suspects were killed in the shootout while Chua was rescued unhurt by the policemen.

Dela Rosa said that the group had at least 12 members during the shootout. The other members were able to escape on board separate vehicles.

He said that the operation was set up after they received an information that the suspects will bring Chua to the bank to withdraw P15 million.

Follow-up operations are being conducted for the arrest of the remaining members of the group.