Manila policemen killed in a shootout before dawn Thursday two men who had just robbed a 31-year-old woman waiting for a ride home. Operatives of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 2 caught up with the two robbery suspects, described as between 35 and 40 years old and of medium build, as they were fleeing with their loot.
One of the slain men, clad in a black T-shirt worn over a pair of brown pants, sustained two gunshot wounds while the other, clad in a gray T-shirt worn over a pair of brown shorts, bore five gunshot wounds.
MPD homicide section head Senior Inspector Joselito de Ocampo said that the robbery took place around 3:45 a.m. Thursday at the corner of C. M. Recto Avenue and Jose Abad Santos Street in Tondo.
Michelle Dayao was waiting for a ride home when the two men robbed her at gunpoint, taking with them her bag, which contained a cell phone and cash. As the two fled with their loot, Dayao spotted a police car and asked for help. A chase ensued with the policemen catching up with the robbers who fired at them instead of surrendering.
Recovered from the slain men were two .38-cal. revolvers and Dayao’s bag.—Jeannette I. Andrade