2 jewelry store robbers, guard killed in shootout after heist

MANILA, Philippines—Two suspected members of a robbery gang were killed in a shootout with Manila policemen while another was arrested late Thursday afternoon, after they pulled a heist at a jewelry store and shot dead a security guard who tried to stop them from fleeing with their loot in Manila.

Two women were also injured when the fleeing robbers threw a hand grenade to throw off pursuing lawmen.

Supt. Ferdinand Quirante, the station commander of the Manila Police District (MPD) Meisic station 11, identified one of the slain suspects as Allan Macatimbel while the other remained unidentified as of Thursday evening.  Macatimbel was killed instantly while the other was declared dead on arrival by attending doctors at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center from multiple bullet wounds in the body.

Quirante identified the slain security guard as Danny Orde, 48, who was employed with the Speedforce Security Agency and detailed at a budget hotel beside the jewelry store that was attacked by the robbers.

The wounded women, Marishel Atendido and Paraluman Predino, were brought to the Metropolitan Hospital for treatment of shrapnel wounds.

The arrested suspect was identified as Basir Basilon, 30, of Bicutan, Taguig City, who was nabbed by operatives of the MPD Sta. Cruz station 3 and was turned over to the Binondo police station.

Quirante told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the robbery happened at around 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, at The Sisters Jewelry Store and General Merchandise along CM Recto Avenue near Rizal Avenue in Binondo.

Six men carrying large bags entered the jewelry store and declared a heist, brandishing their handguns before proceeding to smash the glass display cases to scoop up the jewelry inside.

As the suspects started to flee with their loot, Orde attempted to help out the beleaguered establishment and fired at the fleeing men but missed. The robbers turned back and returned fire, killing Orde instantly.

Orde’s attempt to stop the robbers delayed their escape, giving responding policemen time to catch up with the perpetrators.  In desperation, the robbers hurled a grenade, while trading shots with operatives of the MPD station 11 and station 3 and members of the MPD Special Weapons and Tactics.  The grenade exploded and the two women were hit by shrapnel.

Two of the robbers were killed in the gun battle, Basilon was arrested, while their three cohorts were able to escape with the stolen jewelry.

Quirante said that operatives of the MPD have been in pursuit of suspects and have been working to recover the stolen jewelry.