Carjacker slain in Las Piñas shootout

MANILA, Philippines - A still unidentified carjacker was killed when he and a companion engaged police officers in a running gun battle after they forcibly took a motorcycle in Las Piñas City before dawn yesterday.

The two carjackers took Jobert Cruz’s Euro Sports 150 motorcycle at gunpoint when the victim stopped to relieve himself along Quirino Avenue in Pulang Lupa 1, said Senior Superintendent Jemar Modequillo, city police chief.

Cruz immediately reported the incident to the nearest police station, which flashed a general alarm on the stolen motorcycle.

A mobile patrol team spotted the two carjackers on the motorcycle and the city police set up a roadblock along C-5 Road Extension. The two men shot at the police officers manning the checkpoint, prompting the lawmen to pursue the carjackers and retaliate, Modequillo said.

One of the carjackers was shot dead while the other escaped. The motorcycle was recovered.

A loaded .38 revolver and spent 9mm shells were recovered from the scene of the encounter.