2 ‘lambanog robbers’ slain in Laguna shootout

SAN PEDRO CITY – Two men, accused of robbing a store selling “lambanog” (coconut wine), were killed in a shootout with the police in Calamba City in Laguna province early on Saturday.

Supt. Chitadel Gaoiran, Calabarzon police spokesperson, said store attendant Angelo Arcita sought help from policemen on patrol after two men, pretending to be customers, held him up and took away P8,000 cash and two bottles of the local wine at 1:40 a.m. in Barangay (village) Pansol. The suspects then escaped on a tricycle.

Gaoiran said police were able to locate the suspects, based on the victim’s description. However, instead of yielding, the suspects opened fire, prompting the police to shoot them back.

Both men, who police have yet to identify, were brought to the JP Rizal Hospital in the city but were declared dead on arrival. The police said they recovered guns of calibers .38 and .45 from the suspects. MARICAR CINCO