Rob suspect shot dead in Laguna

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna, Philippines—A robbery suspect was gunned down in a police operation in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, before midnight on Thursday.

Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Laguna police director, identified the slain suspect on Friday as Erick Valencia, a resident of Magdalena, Laguna.

Valencia was listed on the police’s “order of battle” as a leader of a burglary gang in Sta. Cruz, according to Cruz.

Cruz said Valencia, who sported a military haircut, was known to wear a long wig as a disguise after pulling the heists.

He said the local police had been conducting a week-long surveillance on Valencia after being tipped off that he was seen in the vicinity of Sta. Cruz.

Cruz said police chanced upon the wigged suspect at around 11:30 p.m. in a dimly lit area in Barangay Pagsawitan but when approached, Valencia fired shots at the authorities.

The police fired back, hitting Valencia twice in the body. A .38-caliber gun was recovered from Valencia.

Cruz said they were still tracking down a few more people believed to be Valencia’s cohorts.