2 alleged robbers killed in shootout with cops

MANILA, Philippines—Roving Manila policemen chanced upon a robbery inside a public utility jeepney late Thursday night in Sampaloc area and killed two of the four robbers who engaged them in a shootout, the police said Friday.

“Neutralized” by operatives of the Manila Police District’s Station 4 were Eduardo Delmo, 33, of Port Area, Manila, and his unidentified cohort, between 35 and 40 years old, who had the names “Rosanna” and “Pidong” tattooed across his belly.

Both men died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds in the body, while their two companions managed to escape.

MPD homicide section head Chief Inspector Armando Macaraeg said the shooting happened at 10:45 p.m. at the corner of Laong Laan and Asturias Streets in Sampaloc.

Macaraeg said that before the shooting took place, four men wielding guns and knives declared a hold-up aboard the jeepney, which was driven by Arturo Taguiso, as the vehicle was traversing Laong Laan Street.

The robbers were divesting seven passengers of their belongings when the patrolling policemen led by Chief Inspector Rayan Ador noticed the robbery as the jeepney slowed down and they approached the vehicle.

The robbers saw the approaching policemen and began firing at the lawmen as they jumped off the vehicle, Macaraeg said, adding that the policemen retaliated and hit two of the fleeing robbers. They tried to pursue the two others but were unsuccessful, Macareg said.

Recovered from the slain men were two .38-caliber revolvers, a mobile phone and a black shoulder bag owned by two of the jeepney passengers.

The bodies of slain men were taken to the Universal funeral homes for autopsy and safekeeping while MPD operatives conduct follow-up operations for the arrest of their accomplices.