2 suspected robbers killed in shootout with Laguna police

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Philippines — Two suspected thieves were killed in an early morning encounter with police in Calamba City, Laguna, on Monday.

Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Laguna police director, in a text message, said the suspects, riding in tandem in a stolen motorcycle, were killed in Barangay (village) Paciano Rizal at around 4 a.m.

Prior to the encounter, the suspects held up a certain Christian Marvida past midnight in Barangay (village) 3 and stole the victim’s motorcycle, according to the police.

Police were tracking them down when they received a report of another robbery at a gasoline station in Barangay Real that took place about three hours later.

Authorities chased the suspects until they reached Barangay Prinza-Batino where they exchanged fire.

Superintendent Joel Pernito, Calamba City police chief, in a phone interview said the suspects, whose identities were still unknown, died of several gunshot wounds  in the body.

Recovered from the crime scene were guns of caliber .38 and .45 and the stolen motorcycle.

Pernito said the slain suspects could be members of a robbery gang that preyed on individuals with motorcycles and persons who had just withdrawn cash from automated teller machines at night.

Originally posted at 10:21 am | Monday, Dec. 12, 2011