2 suspected robbers killed in shootout in Manila

MANILA, Philippines—Two of four suspected robbers on board two motorcycles who held up a man were killed during a shootout with policemen in Manila’s Tondo district before dawn Thursday, police said.

Superintendent Jemar Modequillo, chief of the Moriones Police Station in Tondo said that the suspects were chased by the police after the victim, Michael Arieta, reported to a roving cop that he had been robbed by three men along Road 10 in Tondo around 4 a.m. Arieta said the robbers, riding in tandem, immediately fled after taking his wallet and necklace.

Police chased the suspects on board a plateless red Yamaha motorcycle and engaged them in a firefight along Moriones and Dagupan streets after the suspects allegedly fired at the responding officers, Modequillo said. The slain suspects remained unidentified.

Modequillo said the two other suspects managed to escape right after victimizing Arieta.

Recovered from the area were 11 empty shells from .38-cal. and .45-cal. pistols and the plateless motorcycle, the Moriones police chief said. Stolen items were also recovered from one of the suspects’ pocket.

Police were trying to identify the slain suspects and doing manhunt operation for the arrest of the two other suspects.