2 alleged members of kidnap-for-ransom group killed in Antipolo —police

Two suspected members of a kidnap-for-ransom group were killed during an encounter with police in Barangay Inarawan, Antipolo City on Thursday morning, authorities said.

Initial information from the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group identified the suspects as one Kelly and a certain Roy, both believed to be members of "Mokong" group.

Operatives from the PNP-AKG and the Antipolo police were conducting checkpoint operations along Marcos Highway in Sitio Painuman when they encountered the armed suspects, who were then on board a motorcycle with no plate number.

Police said the suspects allegedly evaded the checkpoint and shot the authorities, prompting the latter to retaliate.

The PNP-AKG said the checkpoint was made after receiving information that the suspects were about to commit robbery in the area.

Police said the "Mokong" group, led by one Ryan Bonn Dela Cruz, was involved in various illegal activities such as gun-running, robbery, kidnap-for-ransom and proliferation of illegal drugs in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.  —Anna Felicia-Bajo/KBK, GMA News