Suspect in robbery of Laguna gas stations gunned down

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna , Philippines  – A man suspected to be responsible for a series of robbery-holdup of gas stations and carnapping of motorcycles in the third and fourth districts of Laguna, was killed in an encounter with the police yesterday morning.

As of press time, the slain suspect has not been identified according to Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, provincial director of the Philippine National Police in Laguna.

Cruz said the suspect was gunned down when he ran into the Laguna special task force headed by Chief Inspector Vicente Cabatingan at the Triple J gas station in Barangay Sta. Clara Norte, Pila around 2:30 a.m. yesterday.

The slain suspect was with a companion, also reportedly involved in robbery-holdup operations.

Cruz said prior to the shootout, the slain suspect and his cohort were spotted riding together on a blue motorcycle with no plate number at the Pila cockpit arena.

Two police teams were then sent to pursue the suspects who ended up at the gas station.