Policeman kills 2 holdup suspects

Two suspected holdup men were killed when an off-duty Quezon City policeman, who had hitched a ride on their would-be victim’s vehicle, shot it out with them yesterday in Caloocan City.

A third suspect, who was wounded in the encounter but escaped, was later arrested by the police.

Caloocan police chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele said the suspects, whose identities remain unknown, died on the spot after sustaining gunshot wounds in various parts of the body.

The third suspect, Losanto Villamente, was arrested by responding operatives of the Caloocan Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). Mantele, at presstime, said Villamente is undergoing tactical interrogation to ascertain the identity of the two slain suspects.

According to Mantele, the AUV-type vehicle (NNZ 443) driven by one Jackson Austria, had just delivered cigarettes in Amparo Subdivision in Camarin, Caloocan City, when the motorcycle-riding suspects blocked its path at the corner of Lawaan and Malanting Streets at around 10:30 a.m. Monday.

PO1 Eleuterio Frias, about 40, residing on Chieftain Street, Palar Village, Makati but currently assigned at the Central Police District (CPD) Station 10, said the suspects were taken aback when he came out of the van firing his 9 mm service firearm.

A shootout ensured between Frias and the suspects, two of whom were immediately hit, each one sustaining two gunshot wounds as their surprised companion, who was also shot in the body, escaped, leaving behind his dead comrades.

Frias claimed he had earlier hitched a ride on Austria’s delivery van when the suspects came out of nowhere, blocked their path and announced the heist.

Frias said he used 13 of the 15 rounds he had in his gun.

The wounded suspect commandeered an owner-type jeep and fled but was later arrested by SWAT operatives.

Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo, who was holding office at the mini City Hall in Camarin at the time of the incident, commended the Quezon City policeman and offered a cash prize of still undetermined amount.