2 dead in Taguig shootout

Taguig City police killed two of suspected members of a robbery-holdup group preying on commercial establishments and commuters in a shootout before dawn yesterday in Lower Bicutan.

The two members of the Batang Hamog Gang were shot dead by operatives of City Police Intelligence Unit at around 3:45 a.m. before they could pull off another heist at a convenient store on M.L. Quezon street.

City police chief Superintendent Ramon Reyes said they had received information from an asset about the suspects’ plan to stage another heist, prompting him to personally lead a team, with Senior Inspector Eufronio Obong Jr., to monitor the area.

As police passed Purok 6 on board a mobile patrol vehicle (with Body No. 6), three suspicious-looking men who appeared to be carrying firearms were spotted.

When responding police officers alighted from their vehicle to accost the suspects, they were welcomed by gunfire, prompting them to retaliate.

Reyes said that after the exchange of fires, which lasted for less than 30 minutes, two of the three suspects lay dead on the pavement. Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of the body.

Police were later able to identify one of slain suspects as Marlon Bastida. Recovered from the suspects were a caliber .38 revolver, an improvised shotgun and various ATM and credit cards believed to be owned by their previous victims.

No officer was hurt in the shootout, but the third suspect managed to flee toward an unknown direction. He is now being hunted by police.

"This group is responsible for the series of robbery and holdup incidents victimizing bystanders, commuters, convenient stores and computer shops in the area. They have been the subject of months-long operations," Reyes said.

Metro police chief Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr. commended the local police yesterday for neutralizing the robbery group.

Mayor Freddie Tinga also directed Reyes and his men to continue their efforts to curb criminality in the city.

The mayor said that with the newly created Anti-Crime and Illegal Drugs Mobile Patrol Support Group and eight new mobile patrol cars purchased by the local government, police can intensify visibility in all 16 barangays. – Edu Punay