Philippines: 4 killed in foiled kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines – Police in the Philippines say four kidnappers have been killed and a policeman wounded during a foiled attempt to abduct a Chinese-Filipino businessman.

Kidnappings, extortion and shooting attacks are common in parts of the southern Philippines, where Muslim rebels and al-Qaida-linked militants are active and unlicensed firearms abound.

Chief Supt. Gil Meneses says unidentified armed men tried to snatch Boy Chong from his hardware store in southern North Cotabato province's Midsayap township Monday afternoon, but police quickly came to the scene. A gun fight foiled the abduction and left an assailant dead.

Meneses says troops later caught up with the fleeing kidnappers, fatally shooting three of them.