3 robbers slain after stealing taxi

MANILA, Philippines - Three robbers were killed in a reported shootout with police officers after they allegedly commandeered a taxi in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Richard Albano, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said the men had yet to be identified following the gun battle in Barangay Talipapa at around 2 a.m.

Albano said the slain men were tagged by cabbie Francisco Diaz, 63, as the ones who had robbed him.

Diaz was driving his taxi along Congressional Avenue when he was flagged down by one of the men, who asked to be brought to Barangay Bahay Toro. Upon reaching Sinag Tala street, the man ordered him to stop as two other men joined the robber.

Diaz said the three robbers took his P3,800 earnings, blindfolded and hogtied him, then dumped him. Diaz asked a fellow cabbie to bring him to the QCPD Station 3.

Anti-car theft policemen, led by Senior Inspector Rolando Lorenzo Jr., spotted the stolen taxi and tried to flag it down. The robbers fired at the policemen, forcing them to retaliate, Albano said.

Two .38 caliber revolvers and a hand grenade were recovered from the robbers, according to Albano.