3 suspected robbers killed in shootout with cops

MANILA, Philippines — Three suspected robbers were killed in an alleged shootout with the police on Monday morning in Quiapo, Manila.

Officers of the Manila Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Sta. Cruz police station were on their way to serve warrants of arrest to wanted murderers living in Sta. Cruz when three men riding a motorcycle fired shots at the mobile cars of the police team at around 2 a.m.

PO2 Michael Maraggun of the Manila Police District (MPD) homicide division said that the officers pursued the armed robbers along the southbound lane of Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo where the two camps exchanged fire.

The still-unidentified assailants died on the spot after the shootout. Scene of the crime operatives said the three sustained multiple gunshot wounds on different parts of their bodies. The police recovered from them three handguns, motorcycle registration documents and other valuables.

A few hours after the encounter, a call center agent and a vendor showed up at the MPD headquarters in Ermita and complained about a robbery-holdup where three motorcycle-riding men carted away their valuables while they were walking along Andalucia St., Sta. Cruz, on Sunday evening. The victims described the robbers as having slim built and between 25-30 years old.

When the descriptions of the victims matched those of the slain gun-wielding men, investigators showed them the recovered items from the suspects which were easily recognized by the owners.

Meanwhile, officers of the police team involved in the shootout were unscathed but were requested to submit their firearms for ballistic examination and verification.

Maraggun also said that they have been investigating the identities of the three suspected robbers.