MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested the alleged leader of the Rex Fajad criminal group following a shootout in Pasig over the weekend.
Abdulfahad Dirampa Malik, 35, was allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade and car theft in Metro Manila and Mindanao.
Pasig police and two barangay safety officers spotted Malik and three others acting suspiciously near an establishment in Barangay Pinagbuhatan. A firefight ensued between the police and the suspects.
Malik was wounded in the shootout. He was taken to the Pasig City General Hospital for treatment.
Malik’s cohorts fled and follow-up operations are underway to locate them.
A .38-caliber revolver and two motorcycles were recovered at the scene.
Police said Malik was also involved in a kidnapping case in Marawi in September 2022.