2 theft suspects die in shoot-out with cops

Two unidentified men believed to be robbers were killed in a shoot-out with the police in Tondo, Manila, before dawn Thursday.

Members of the Manila Police District (MPD) mobile patrol unit chased the suspected robbers after Michael Arieta and his companion complained that they were held up by two men on a motorcycle on Road 10.

A chase ensued and the policemen caught up with the two robbery suspects on Moriones Street, Tondo, at around 4:30 a.m., according to MPD homicide division chief, Senior Insp. Joselito de Ocampo.

But instead of yielding, the motorcycle-riding men opened fire on the policemen, leading to a shoot-out which resulted in their death.

Recovered from the two were a cal .45 firearm, Arieta’s necklace and his wallet containing P3,000 in cash.

The police described the slain robbers as being in their early 30s and a little over 5 feet tall.

One was dressed in a white T-shirt and a pair of gray shorts while his cohort had on a black T-shirt, a black pair of shorts plus a wristband on his left wrist.