Cop hurt in shootout with car theft gang

MANILA, Philippines - A member of the Taguig police was hurt in a shootout with five suspected members of the Sabino Mendoza car theft gang in Barangay Pinagsama early yesterday.

Police Officer 2 Ardie Vergara was on patrol with other police officers when they chanced upon the suspects in a house with several parked motorcycles and spare parts on the street, Taguig police chief Senior Superintendent Arthur Felix Asis said.

When the police team approached the house to investigate, the suspects opened fire, hitting Vergara in the right leg. The police officers then returned fire, forcing the suspects to retreat after a 10-minute exchange of gunfire, Asis said.

Ricardo Gonzado, 49, a resident of Barangay Ususan, Taguig; and Danilo Basco, 30, of Barangay Pinagsama, were arrested while three other suspects managed to escape.

The police confiscated motorcycle spare parts and accessories and nine handguns from the suspects.