Quezon City policemen who were monitoring a wanted man chanced upon a robbery on Sunday night, leading to a shootout that left three suspects dead.
A motorcycle rider, however, was also killed after he was hit by a stray bullet.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said that only one of the slain suspects had been identified as Ramil Sabalboro, 23. The two others were described as between 25 to 35 years old and of medium build.
Killed in the crossfire was George Marcelino, who was identified through a company ID card as an employee of the tabloid Pilipino Star Ngayon.
A police report said that around 8:30 p.m., a woman was robbed by three armed men on an orange tricycle on Del Monte Avenue.
Members of the QCPD’s special operations unit who were monitoring a wanted man in the area saw the incident and chased the robbers who fired back at them at the corner of Dr. Garcia Sr. Street and Panay Avenue.