Two robbery suspects were killed in what police said was a shootout in Quezon City Wednesday night.
The encounter took place shortly after they allegedly victimized commuters in a public utility van plying Barangay (village) San Bartolome, police said.
The two remained unidentified as of Thursday, one of them sporting a “Bahala Na Gang” tattoo, according to Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Mario de la Vega. A third cohort managed to escape.
The QCPD learned about the robbery when the van passed through a police checkpoint around 9 p.m. and its passengers recounted how they were held up by three armed men.
Police later set up blockades and scoured the area with two female complainants in tow to help them identify the robbers.
Novaliches station commander Supt. Crisostomo Mendoza said his men chanced upon two of the three suspects walking along Diamond Avenue. They were immediately recognized by the two women.
Instead of yielding, the suspects fired at the law enforcers, prompting the latter to shoot back, police said.—Julie M. Aurelio