2 robbers slain in QC, Manila

MANILA, Philippines - An alleged robber was killed after he traded shots with policemen following a heist in Cubao, Quezon City at dawn yesterday.

Marites Perez, 38, positively identified the slain suspect as the one who robbed her at the corner of 11th and 12th Avenues in Barangay Socorro, according to Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano.

Police said they recovered from the suspect a caliber .38 revolver as well as the victim’s cellular phone and wallet containing P1,700.

Superintendent Ronnie Montejo, commander of QCPD Station 7, said the suspect held up Perez shortly after she alighted from a bus.

The victim immediately reported the incident to police, which conducted a follow-up operation.

Policemen were about to approach the suspect when he tried to escape, prompting the officers to give chase. When he was cornered, the robber opened fire at the policemen, forcing the latter to retaliate.

In Manila, a robber victimizing jeepney passengers was killed in an alleged shootout with operatives of the Manila Police District at the corner of Lope De Vega and Alonzo streets in Sta. Cruz district yesterday.

Rex Tan, 27, died on the spot.  His unidentified cohort managed to escape.

Investigation conducted by Senior Police Officer 3 Glenzor Vallejo said Police Officer 3 Jennifer Manguerra and Police Officer 1 Robert Dulay were patrolling along Claro M. Recto Ave­nue at 2:30 a.m. when they noticed a commotion inside a passenger jeepney.

Two women told the police officers that the suspects divested them of their cash and valuables.

Policemen pursued the suspects and cornered them in front of a barangay hall.

Instead of surrendering, Tan drew his gun and shot it out with the policemen.