2 jeepney rob suspects killed in Tondo shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Two of four suspected jeepney robbers were killed when they engaged responding policemen in a shootout in Tondo, Manila Friday night.

One of the slain suspects was identified as Romel Malinab, 46, driver, of Cubao, Quezon City through papers found on his person. The other one was described as between 25 and 30 years old, five feet in height, slim and with long hair. Two .38 caliber revolvers were recovered near their bodies, according to case investigator Police Officer 3 Alonzo Layugan.

Moriones police station chief Superintendent Jemar Modequillo said he and his men were patrolling crime-prone areas in Tondo when they chanced upon a commotion on board a Gasak, Navotas City-bound passenger jeepney along Juan Luna street.

After being informed by at least four passengers that they had been robbed by four armed men, Modequillo and his men scoured the vicinity in search of the suspects.

Modequillo said they spotted the fleeing suspects along P. Herrera street and called on them to surrender. The suspects fired at the approaching lawmen, triggering a brief shootout.

The robbery victims who were brought to the site of the shootout identified the slain suspects as among the men who held them up. They also claimed their belongings recovered from the suspects.

Modequillo, recently assigned to the station, said he learned that robberies are frequent along Juan Luna street up to Navotas City.