8 armed men allegedly out to rob hardware store in Cavite killed by cops

MANILA, Philippines – Eight alleged members of a notorious robbery group were killed by police in an encounter in Cavite province on Tuesday afternoon.

Armed members of the Alingaro Robbery Hold-up Group and their leader, a certain Danilo Lanzaga, alias “Glen,” died in a shootout with the Cavite police in Barangay (village) Litlit in Silang town around 1:30 p.m.

Police identified the slain men as Jomar Pereña, Buchoy Babaan while the remaining others were still unidentified.

‎Senior Superintendent ‎Joselito Esquivel, Cavite Police provincial director, said in a text message to reporters that the nine armed men on board four motorcycles were allegedly about to rob a hardware store.

After the police were tipped off, Esquivel said they formed a team immediately, launched a dragnet operation and put up a checkpoint to stop the armed men.

Manning the checkpoint were augmentation forces from Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Cavite Provincial Police led by a Police Inspector Cantano.

As they approached the checkpoint, the suspected robbers allegedly ignored the authorities and then engaged them in a shootout.

Out of the nine men, Esquivel said eight were killed.

One of the alleged gang men fled the scene during the encounter.

Esquivel said the gang was linked to a series of heists in the towns of Silang, Amadeo and nearby cities and municipalities.

The police also reportedly recovered six .45-caliber pistols, two .38-caliber revolvers and three motorcycles, all bearing no plate numbers.

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