4 suspected car thieves slain in Bulacan

MEYCAUAYAN, Bulacan, Philippines—Four suspected car thieves were shot and killed in what authorities said was an encounter with the police here at 2 a.m. Thursday.

This came following a tip from a resident, who said he saw men removing the plate number of an Isuzu D-Max parked on a vacant lot in Barangay Perez here at 1 a.m. The car was believed to be stolen.

Superintendent Hector Samar, Meycauayan police chief, said he and his men rushed to the area but the men had fled. When they asked for reinforcement from the Task Force Limbas, an anti-car theft group based in Camp Crame, they chanced upon the suspects in the Isuzu.

The police gave chase and exchanged fire with the suspects, killing all four of them instantly.

Samar said the plate number that was attached to the Isuzu car came from a stolen vehicle.

Seized from the suspects were three .45-caliber pistols, an Ingram firearm and several license plates.