Philippine troops captured three gunmen in a battle with a notorious gang tied to the kidnapping of an Australian national in the southern Philippines.Officials said the troops raided the hideout of Waning Abdulsalam in the town of Naga, but the man, previously implicated in the kidnapping of Warren Rodwell, escaped.
Army Colonel Gerry Barrientos, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade, said, "We were not able to get Waning, but we captured three of his followers in a clash that lasted over 30 minutes. There is no report about Rodwell."
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Abdulsalam was a former commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which is currently holding peace talks with Manila. Aside from Abdusalsalam, officials have also linked another MILF leader Barahama Ali to Rodwell's kidnapping.