2 suspected riding-in-tandem robbers killed in shootout with Olongapo police

MANILA, Philippines—Two suspected riding-in-tandem robbers were killed in a shootout with Olongapo City Police early Monday morning, police superintendent Romeo De Castro, chief of regional public information office, said in a statement Tuesday.

De Castro, quoting an Olongapo City Police report, said the robbery incident occurred around 2:25 a.m. Monday wherein the victim, Cherie Pena, 27, was robbed at gunpoint along Kessing Street, Barangay (village) Asinan, Olongapo City by the two still unidentified suspects who were on board a white motorcycle without a plate number.

The suspects, on board the motorcycle, blocked Pena and a co-employee’s path then declared a hold-up at gunpoint. The suspects took from Pena her handbag containing ATM  cards, cash amounting to P1,000 and a digital camera, before fleeing the scene.

The victim reported the incident to police authorities who immediately conducted follow-up operations. Police later encountered the two suspects on board the white motorcycle traversing Rizal Avenue heading for Barangay Old Cabalan, who fired shots at the pursuing police officers after turning on Del Rosario Street.

Police returned fire and killed the two suspects on the spot. The white motorcyle, a .38-caliber pistol revolver and a .22-caliber improvised pistol, along with all the victims’ belongings, were recovered from the suspects.