(UPDATE) 2 killed in foiled kidnapping attempt in Cotabato

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Two people were killed in a foiled kidnapping attempt of a teenager in southern Philippines this morning, a local police official said.

A policeman and the alleged kidnapper died in a brief exchange of gunfire during the attempted abduction of a 16-year old boy in Tupi town, South Cotabato province, according to town police chief Larry Salcedo.

Salcedo told a local radio station that the suspect forcibly brought the victim to his motorcycle along the national highway in Poblacion village.

Bystanders then called the policeman and a firefight ensued, wounding a policeman and the suspect, while the victim was unhurt.

The policeman and the suspect died as they were being brought to separate local hospitals.

Kidnappings are common in the restive southern Philippines where lawless armed gangs, leftist rebels and rogue groups like the Abu Sayyaf are active.