Rob suspect nabbed in shootout charged

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected robber who was wounded in a shootout with Las Piñas police officers was charged yesterday with robbery and assault against a person in authority.

Glen Mipana was subjected to inquest proceedings before the Las Piñas prosecutor’s office, Senior Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, city police chief, said.

Mipana and his companion, Jumar Samonte, were reportedly robbing a security guard in front of a canteen along Alabang-Zapote Road in Barangay Almanza when Samonte fired a .45 caliber pistol to scare their victim.

The sound attracted the attention of policemen on patrol. The two suspects reportedly engaged the police officers in a shootout, which ended when Samonte was killed and Mipana was hit in the right arm.

Mipana and canteen operator Dadilda Grandosa, who was wounded in the crossfire, were brought to a nearby hospital for treatment.