Two alleged robbers were killed on Wednesday in Quezon City after they reportedly ignored policemen manning a checkpoint, one of several that had been set up to tighten security for the May midterm elections.
According to a report from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), the unidentified suspects had engaged policemen in a shootout after speeding away from a checkpoint at Barangay Payatas, where they allegedly robbed a call center agent.
Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel, QCPD director, said the two men, both in their early 40s, wore black jackets and balaclavas.
The report said that before 2 a.m. on Wednesday, the suspects stole a bag with cash, a cell phone and other belongings from Maribel Fernandez, 28, at the corner of Ilang-Ilang Street and IBP Road. At that time, the victim was on her way to work.
At 2:15 a.m., officers from the Batasan police station flagged down two men at a checkpoint on Payatas Road corner Molave Street.
Chase leads to shootout
When the suspects ignored them, the police chased them through Katipunan Extension, where the two men allegedly started shooting at them.
Retrieved from the two men were Fernandez’s stolen belongings, along with two .38-caliber revolvers and 14 sachets of “shabu” (crystal meth).
In the wake of the incident, Esquivel reminded the public not to treat Commission on Election (Comelec) checkpoints lightly.
“This is for everyone’s safety; so we can avoid unfortunate incidents that occur when one refuses to stop,” he said.
On Jan. 13, the first day of the election period, the Comelec started setting up checkpoints nationwide to implement the ban on firearms and other deadly weapons.