1.   As the security forces approached the hideout, four armed men opened fire, a police official said.

2.   It said the militants opened fire as police approached the hideout.

3.   The suspects started firing as police approached their hideout.

4.   They said he was shot dead when he opened fire on police as they approached his hideout.

5.   Two kidnappers fled when they saw soldiers approaching their hideout in Polomolok in nearby South Cotabato province, he said.