Cops kill 2 suspected thieves in Taytay shootout

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Philippines–Two suspected motorcycle thieves were killed in what an officer said was a shootout with cops manning a checkpoint in Taytay, Rizal, early Thursday.

Superintendent Arthur Masungsong, the police chief of Taytay, identified the slain men as Novie del Rosario and Jake Buenaventura.

The two were traveling on a motorcycle, Masungsong said in a text message, but instead of pulling over when they were flagged down at a checkpoint in Barangay (village) San Juan around 2:30 a.m. they sped away.

Four policemen on two motorcycles then gave chase, Masungsong said. At that point, the back rider on the motorcycle fired at the pursuing cops but missed, prompting the officers to retaliate, killing the two men, Masungsong added.

He said two .38-caliber guns were recovered from the suspects, and the motorcycle was identified as having been stolen from a certain Randy Espiritu in Barangay San Juan on January 31.

Masungsong said the suspects were later found to be have been involved in a spate of motorcycle thefts and in the illegal drugs trade in Taytay, Rizal.

Their bodies were taken to a funeral home in Antipolo City, he said.