2 suspected thieves slain in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Cops killed two suspected motorcycle thieves during an encounter before dawn yesterday in Caloocan City.

Senior Superintendent Jude Santos, Caloocan City police chief, said the unidentified suspects yielded two .38 caliber revolvers and a stolen Yamaha motorcycle (TG-5256) owned by Vernel Escalicas, a resident of Marilao, Bulacan.

Santos said his men, led by Police Community Precinct 18 commander Inspector Demiel Tubbali, set up a checkpoint at Forest Park Subdivision after receiving reports that two motorcycle-riding men were “monitored” roaming through several subdivisions along the city’s boundary with Bulacan Friday night.

At around 2:20 a.m. yesterday, Tubbali’s men flagged down on their checkpoint two men riding tandem in a motorcycle, but instead of stopping the suspects sped off toward Shelter Ville Subdivision.

Tubbali and his men pursued the suspects and were able to corner them after a 10-minute chase. Rather than surrendering, the suspects shot at the policemen. Both gunmen were killed in the ensuing gunfight.

Santos said Escalicas showed up at the Caloocan City police station yesterday, claiming the slain suspects had taken his motorcycle at gunpoint Friday night in Marilao, Bulacan.

Investigators were trying to establish yesterday whether the suspects were linked to the 15 motorcycles recovered Thursday by Chief Inspector Moner Orang and his men at a deserted house in Phase 12, Barangay 188.

Orang said the motorcycles were hidden under a tent behind the house, which is surrounded with a high concrete wall.