2 dead, 1 hurt in Quezon City shootout

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected robber and a tricycle passenger were killed while an off-duty policeman was wounded after the latter figured in a firefight with a group of robbers in Quezon City yesterday morning.

According to initial reports, suspect Joseph Bartolome was pronounced dead on arrival at the Fairview General Hospital and passenger Agosto Violata died due to gunshot wounds.

Police Officer 1 Santos Osorio, 29, assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and a resident of Barangay Payatas A, is being treated for gunshot wounds in the leg and stomach at the Philippine National Police General Hospital.

Reports said the incident happened at around 1 a.m. at the corner of Dama de Noche and Sampaguita streets in Barangay Payatas A while Osorio and four civilians were on their way home in a tricycle.

Around seven men blocked the tricycle and announced a robbery, but started shooting as soon as they realized that a policeman was one of the passengers.

Osorio, despite being wounded, exchanged shots with the robbers, who fled the scene after one of them was hit.

The Quezon City Police District Station 6 has custody of the witnesses, including tricycle driver Jovito Lumawag and passengers Susan Yupoh and Mylene Pugal.