2 gunrunners killed in shootout with police in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected gunrunners were killed in a buy-bust operation of the police in Quezon City early Wednesday morning.

Operatives of the Novaliches police station launched a buy-bust of unlicensed firearms against the suspects when the latter sensed they were dealing with undercover police officers, according to a report from the Quezon City Police District.

Police said the suspects opened fire at the police, prompting the lawmen to return fire, killing the suspects on the spot.

The suspects, who both wore jackets and shorts, are still unidentified at the moment, but one of them was identified by the pseudonym Atan, according to police. Atan is estimated to be 28 years old, while the other suspect is aged around 20 to 26 years old.

Police said the suspects were involved in selling unlicensed firearms in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Both were armed with a caliber .45 pistol, which were found at the crime scene along with a caliber .38 revolver, a sachet of suspected “shabu,” cellphone, wristwatch, a bullet, and a motorcycle after the shootout, according to QCPD.

Police said a certain Joshua Copioso also approached them and said the motorcycle recovered was stolen from him by the suspects on Tuesday. /cbb