2 robbers killed, cop hurt in Manila shootouts

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected robbers were killed in separate shootouts with the police in Sta. Cruz, Manila, police said Thursday.

The Manila Police District’s (MPD) Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) identified the fatalities as Rodel Vicente, 33, and Antonio Yap, 45.

According to CIDU’s report, police learned about a robbery hold-up incident along Blumentritt Street on Wednesday night, prompting them to deploy a team to verify the information.

Responding officers then spotted a group of armed men along the railroad tracks near T. Mapua and Antipolo Streets around 10:35 p.m. As Cpl. Edgil Bombase was about to approach the group, the men opened fire and hit him on different parts of his body.

Two other officers from the team returned fire, hitting Vicente on his body. Vicente, who was described in the CIDU report as a member of the Sputnik Gang, died on the spot.

Recovered from the first crime scene were a 9mm pistol, several spent shells, nine sachets of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth), cellphones, and cash worth P530,000.

The other suspect, meanwhile, fled toward Rizal Avenue, while the injured policeman was rushed to Jose Reyes Medical Center.

Upon hearing about the shootout, Sta. Cruz police commander Lt. Col. Reynaldo Magdaluyo directed all police community precincts in the area to establish dragnet operation to arrest the fleeing suspects.

At about 11:30 p.m., police chanced upon Yap along Rizal Avenue. When the suspect noticed the approaching police officers, he successively fired but the lawmen were able to shield themselves from the bullets.

A policeman then fired towards Yap, hitting them on the head.

Yap was rushed to Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Police recovered another 9mm pistol and spent shells from the scene of encounter.

Investigation is ongoing.

Edited by JE