2 robbers shot dead in Rizal; others arrested

MANILA, Philippines - Police shot dead two members of a robbery gang victimizing Indian nationals in Rizal and arrested two of their companions during a shootout Sunday in Rodriguez, Rizal.

The victim, Teodoro Tabayag, alias Teddy and a certain Kulit sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot.

Their companions, Samuel Ilago, 42, and Jeffrey Casuyom, 30, were arrested but their fifth companion managed to escape.

At least 20 Indian nationals trooped to the Rodriguez police station after the shootout and identified the suspects, who belong to the Sibuyas robbery gang as among those who robbed them and stole their motorcycles, said Senior Superintendent Ireneo Dordas, Rizal police director.

“We are hoping that the series of robbery against Indian nationals would stop because of the neutralization of the suspects,” said Dordas.

Initial investigation showed that Bizay Kumar, 44, an Indian national reported to the local police that the suspects forcibly took his motorcycle in Sitio Saba, in Barangay San Jose at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Responding policemen cornered the suspects, who choose to engage them in a shootout despite repeated calls for them to surrender.

The two slain suspects yielded a .45 caliber automatic pistol and a .38 caliber revolver.

Dordas ordered the filing of robbery charges against Casu­yom and Ilago, who are presently detained at the Rizal PNP detention center. – With Ed Amoroso, Dennis Carcamo

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