Robbery suspects on foot shot dead after victim seeks help from patrol cops

MANILA, Philippines—Two robbery suspects, fleeing on foot, were shot dead by police after their victim went scouting with the mobile patrollers and caught them still walking around the area, early Wednesday.

The face-off broke out shortly after Regente Osalla, 36, a taxi driver from Sta. Ana, Manila, reported to police that he had been robbed at gunpoint by two unidentified men who had boarded in Mandaluyong and had asked to be brought to San Andres, Manila.

The robbery-holdup was declared as the taxi was cruising along Lambingan Bridge near New Panaderos St., Sta. Ana.

After the suspects disembarked, Osalla drove immediately to the Manila Police District Station 6 in Sta. Ana and reported the incident.

Hearing from Osalla that the robbers only fled on foot, the police accompanied the victim to look for the suspects in the area.

The MPD Station 6 commander, Supt. Remigio Sedanto said around six of his men, from the station’s mobile patrol unit and special reaction unit, were sent along with Osalla at around 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

As the group was snaking through the side streets coming from New Panaderos St., Osalla had spotted the suspects walking at the corner of Sta. Clara and Leyva Sts.

When group leader PO3 Morris Malintog and the other policemen went down to corner the suspects, one of the robbers moved to grab his gun, causing the law enforcers to fire.

One suspect was shot four times on his torso, while another sustained a lone gunshot wound to the chest. They both died on the spot.

Osalla’s belongings, which included a wallet with his driver license and P1,740 in cash was found inside the pocket of one of the men, who were unidentified, as of Wednesday.