Quezon City cops kill 2 robbers

Intelligence operatives of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), in a continuing crackdown against street criminals, killed two suspected robbers in separate encounters Friday evening.

Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula said operatives led by District Intelligence chief Superintendent Bernabe Balba carried out the operations to neutralize street criminals victimizing motorists and commuters.

At about 10:30 p.m., a team of operatives from the District Intelligence and Operation Unit (DIOU) were informed of a robbery in a passenger jeepney driven by Jaime Cortesano.

Two armed men posing as passengers declared a robbery and divested the passengers of cash and other valuables, then got off in front of the PAEC compound.

The intelligence officers saw what happened and gave chase to the fleeing robbers, who fired upon the lawmen. The policemen fired back, killing one suspect. The other suspect escaped.

Investigators described the slain suspect as between 30 and 35 years old, 5’3”, of medium built, wearing white t-shirt and black shorts. The slain suspect bore a Sputnik tattoo on his upper back.

The second incident happened at around 3:10 a.m. when Venancio Sagun, 39, of Batasan Hills, sought the assistance of CIDU detectives. He claimed he was robbed at gunpoint after he got off a passenger jeepney.

The operatives immediately scoured the area and spotted the suspect along Kamias Road. The suspect, who fled towards Kasing-kasing Street, was cornered but opted to shoot it out with the police.

Crime scene investigators recovered Sagun’s belongings, a .38 caliber revolver with two bullets, and three empty shells near the unidentified suspect’s body.    – Perseus Echeminada