2 slain hijackers in Batangas shootout identified

MANILA, Philippines — Two of the four suspected hijackers who were killed in a shootout with police in Batangas were identified, an official said Tuesday.

Jun Castillo and Roberto Rio were jailed previously for bank robbery, Batangas PNP Provincial Diirector Rosauro Asio said.

Asio said the suspects hijacked an aluminum van with food products in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Authorities conducted follow-up operations after being informed of the incident.

The suspects, who were on board a Starex van, were spotted in Batangas at 4:30 a.m. and were stopped at a checkpoint in the village of San Roque, Sto. Tomas.

A firefight ensued when the suspects shot at the police, resulting in the death of the alleged hijackers and recovery of the van containing the food products, Asio said.