Troops kill main suspect in Bossi kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines – Army troops killed yesterday the main suspect in the abduction of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi in July 2007 and the bombing in Zamboanga City last month that killed three people and injured 23 others.

Officials said elements of the Army’s 102nd Brigade engaged Akkidin alias Commander Kiddie and his followers in a gunbattle at around 4 p.m. at his hideout in Barangay Riverside, Poblacion, Kabansalan, Zamboanga del Sur.

One of Akkidin’s bodyguards was also killed while two other suspects were wounded in the firefight.

A military official said intelligence information led the unit to Akkidin’s hideout.

Akkidin’s men opened fire at the approaching troops, triggering a gunbattle. There is no word yet from Malacañang on Akkidin’s death.

Akkidin is reportedly the leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) Special Operations Group believed to have strong ties with al-Qaeda-linked extremists such as the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Abu Sayyaf.

He was also suspect in several highway robberies and attacks. Akkidin had several standing warrants for his arrest.

Bossi, a member of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, was abducted while on his way to Mass in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay. He was released after 40 days.

Akkidin, whose group reportedly received training including bomb-making from the JI, was also the principal suspect in the bomb explosion last May 29 outside the Edwin Andrews Air Force base in Zamboanga City. – With Jaime Laude