2 robbery suspects killed in shootout with cops in Tagum City

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines – Two suspected armed robbers were killed in a shootout with police after robbing a motor parts store here on Saturday, a police official on Sunday said.

Lawmen also recovered two pistols, a fragmentation grenade and rounds of ammunition for an M-16 rifle following the encounter in Apokon village around 2:30 p.m., according to Superintendent Solomon de Castilla, city police chief.

De Castilla said that prior to the clash authorities had received reports about a planned robbery targeting the Dxung Sxun Car Display Center.

“Policemen conducting surveillance operations caught up with two armed men who were about to flee after robbing Lorena Paoner, 27, the car display center manager,” De Castilla told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by mobile phone, adding the robbers fought with the lawmen, sparking a brief firefight that resulted in the robbers’ deaths.

Also recovered from the scene of shootout were the victim’s bag containing P118,500 worth of cash and checks and a cellular phone as well as a wallet from one of the slain suspects containing a birth certificate, bearing the name Michael Padernal Glenogo.

De Castilla said an investigation has started to ascertain if the suspects were also behind the string of armed robbery and motorcycle thefts that have hit the city in recent weeks.

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