Muntinlupa police say SUV in shooting incident had theft suspects inside

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MANILA, Philippines — The reason why security guards opened fire at the white sports utility vehicle (SUV) outside a mall in Muntinlupa City on Thursday because people on board were accused of theft, investigators said.

Initial reports from the Muntinlupa City Police Station said that there were three suspects inside the white Mitsubishi Montero who were asked to alight the vehicle upon suspicions that the three were involved in robbing incidents.

However, instead of stopping, the suspects tried to drive away, leading the security guards to use their motorcycles to block the vehicle from escaping.  Shots were fired after the suspects resisted and still tried to escape.

Earlier, a viral video showing the incident left many netizens perplexed as to why security guards opened fire at the vehicle.

In the video posted on social media, at least four security guards — two armed with a shotgun and one carrying a pistol — were seen shooting at the SUV.  The security guards tried to shoot at the vehicle’s tires, but it did not deter the suspects from leaving the scene.

Later on, police said that the vehicle was found abandoned in front of a condominium complex on Sucat Road, Muntinlupa.

JPV