3 suspected car thieves slain in Laguna

SAN PEDRO CITY, Philippines — Three suspected car thieves were killed in a shoot-out with policemen in Sta. Rosa City in Laguna province early Wednesday, police said.

Supt. Peter Dionisio, chief of the regional police Highway Patrol Group in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), said the suspects drew the attention of policemen at 1:30 a.m. after they noticed something wrong with the plate of the group’s Toyota Altis.

“The plate number didn’t match the model of the car, drawing suspicions that the car plate was illegally switched,” Dionisio told the Inquirer in a telephone interview.

As policemen tried to approach the car, which was parked in front of a convenience store, the group sped off and did not stop at several police checkpoints along the way.

Policemen chased the suspects, who were firing at the lawmen, until the car fell into a ditch in Barangay (village) Tagapo.

Dionisio said the suspects continued firing as they stepped out of the vehicle, forcing policemen to shoot back.

Two of the suspects were killed instantly, while one died as he was being taken to a hospital in the city. Police have yet to identify the suspects.

Dionisio said the suspects could be car thieves who target vehicle rental companies in Metro Manila and in Central Luzon region.

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