Alleged robbers killed in shootout with cops

Camp Vicente Lim, Laguna , Philippines  – Two suspected members of a robbery-holdup gang died in an alleged shootout with police in Cavite province before dawn yesterday, police officials said.

Senior Superintendent Alfred Corpuz, Cavite police director said two still unidentified suspects were killed after robbing the Caltex gas station in Barangay Mabuhay, Carmona town shortly before 3 a.m.

Corpuz said the two suspects, who were on board a motorcycle, carted away more than P800 cash and sped toward Southwoods road followed by a hot pursuit operation by authorities.

Elements of the Regional Mobile Group (RMG-Region 4A) and Cavite police chanced upon the suspects in a checkpoint, but instead of stopping, the suspects allegedly traded shots with the police leading to their instantaneous death.

Police recovered a .45 caliber pistol and a .38 caliber revolver from the crime scene.

Carmona chief of police Chief Inspector Egbert Tibayan said the two suspects could be members of the dreaded Royal Blood Gangsta, a gun-for-hire and robbery-holdup gang operating in Laguna and Cavite.

Tibayan added the slain suspects remained unidentified as of yesterday.

Police found at the crime scene, one carnapped motorbike with no license plate used in the operation of the suspects, several identification cards, guns and cash, as part of their loot from the Caltex gasoline station.

Tibayan said his men received a report about the incident from the gasoline boy, prompting the lawmen to set up a checkpoint and blocking force to intercept the suspects. – Ed Amoroso, Arnell Ozaeta, Dennis Carcamo