3 robbers slain in QC shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Three alleged robbers were killed in what police said was a shootout shortly after they held up a shop in Quezon City late Friday night.

The slain suspects allegedly robbed a Bayad Center outlet in front of the University of the Philippines along Katipunan Extension, Barangay Pansol at past 11 p.m., said Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano.

Police have yet to identify the suspects.

The suspects were killed after they traded shots with responding members of the QCPD’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit who caught up with them along Katipunan Extension, said Chief Inspector Rodel Marcelo.

Policemen recovered from the suspects two boxes containing P5,200 in cash and three caliber .38 revolvers that they used during the gunfight.

The shop’s employee, PJ Gumapal, told police that he was about to close the shop when the three suspects arrived.

At gunpoint, the suspects took the boxes containing cash from Gumapal. They escaped on foot toward Katipunan Extension.

He shouted for help and caught the attention of patrolling policemen led by Inspector Danilo Malab.

The suspects started firing their guns when they noticed the approaching policemen in a patrol car, prompting the latter to retaliate.