Three robbers die in shootout with QC cops; stray bullet kills innocent motorcycle rider

Four individuals, including three robbery suspects and an innocent motorcycle rider, have died during an encounter with authorities from the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Sunday evening.

A report from QCPD said that a woman who was waiting in front of a fast food chain at Del Monte Avenue at Barangay Damayang Lagi in Quezon City was robbed by unidentified suspects who wore shirts, short pants, and slippers.

According to the woman, the suspects then fled the scene using an orange tricycle as a getaway vehicle, en route to Quezon Avenue.

After DSOU operatives who were conducting anti-crime operations near the area noticed the incident, they followed the getaway vehicle until Dr. P. Garcia Street corner Panay Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City.

When the suspects were ordered to surrender, they pulled out their guns and opened fire at the officers. Policemen killed all three suspects, who were positively identified by the woman they robbed.

During the exchange of fires, innocent motorcycle rider George Marcelino, 50 years old from Laguna, died due to a gunshot wound from a stray bullet. Marcelino was rushed to the Capitol Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.

During a press briefing at Camp Crame, QCPD Director Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel that the police would help the family of Marcelino, an employee of the printing department of a daily broadsheet.

“Pinapunta ko na ‘yong aming official doon to coordinate with the family, and we will extend assistance sa abot ng aming makakaya,” Esquivel said.

QCPD said it will investigate whose gun caused the victim’s death but investigators are speculating that he did not hear the commotion as he was wearing a full-face mask.

One .45 caliber pistol loaded with four bullets, one .38 caliber Armscor 202 with a magazine containing four bullets, one misfired and one fired cartridges, one caliber .38 with four bullets, one misfired cartridge, and three sachets of dried marijuana leaves.   /vvp