3 payroll robbery suspects killed
Three suspected members of a payroll robbery gang were killed in an alleged shootout with
The three slain suspects were allegedly part of the motorcycle-riding “JP Gang,” which Moriones police station chief Senior Superintendent Jose Mario Espino said was responsible for robbing employees of Lorenzo Shipping Lines of P700,000 payroll money last Nov. 29.
Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales has ordered the neutralization of the gang following reports of successive heists perpetrated by armed men riding in tandem on motorcycles.
“Yesterday’s gunfight was not a spontaneous encounter. We have been casing the gang and monitoring their movements for over a month. Finally they tragically met their end,” Espino said.
Espino led the Tondo policemen, assisted by the MPD’s Special Task Group headed by Inspector Jesus Hidalgo and Senior Police Officer 4 Joji Marcelo, in deploying a team at the corner of Moriones and Road 10 streets after receiving a tip that the JP Gang is about to stage another heist.
Marcelo said the lawmen ordered four of the gang members riding in tandem on two motorcycles to stop, but the suspects reportedly responded by pulling out their guns.
After a brief firefight, three suspects lay bloodied, while the fourth escaped on a motorcycle. No police officer was injured in the encounter.
Two of the injured suspects were declared dead on arrival at the
Espino identified one of the slain suspects as a certain “JP,” the alleged leader. No identification papers were recovered from his body, which bore tattoos of a marijuana leaf and the word “
Police also recovered a .45 caliber pistol, two .38 caliber revolvers, a kitchen knife and a cellular phone from the suspects. A blue Honda Wave motorcycle without license plates, ridden by the suspects, is now impounded at the MPD’s homicide section.
Rosales ordered a massive manhunt for the gang’s remaining members.
- Latest
- Trending