2 ‘basag-kotse’ thieves killed in shootout with QC police

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected car thieves were killed in an alleged shootout with police officers in Barangay Greater Fairview, Quezon City before dawn on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

According to police, prior to the shootout, a certain Joe Ismael Pajanustan reported that a window of his Nissan Sentra sedan was allegedly smashed by the suspects to steal his belongings. Thieves who steal from parked cars by smashing the vehicle’s windows are known to police as “basag kotse” gang members.

Police said Pajanustan saw the incident but one of the suspects allegedly pointed a gun at him before he could approach his vehicle. The victim reported the crime to barangay (village) officials while the suspects fled onboard a motorcycle.

Operatives of the Station Drug Enforcement Unit of the Fairview Police Station who were deployed along Lilac Street on a buy-bust operation were then tipped of the crime.

Police said the operatives waited for the suspects to pass through the area and ordered them to stop. The suspects however did not stop and instead opened fire at the police officers.

The police officers then returned fire, killing the suspects on the spot.

Recovered from the suspects were two .38 caliber revolvers with bullets and six plastic sachets of suspected shabu (crystal meth). Also recovered from the suspects were the victim’s laptop and tablet.

Supt. Benjamin Gabriel Jr., station commander of Fairview Police Station, advised the public to avoid leaving their belongings inside their vehicles to avoid being victimized by thieves. /muf