Dismissed cop, 3 other carjack suspects shot dead in Antipolo

MANILA, Philippines - A dismissed policeman and three other suspected members of a carjacking gang were killed yesterday in a shootout with Calabarzon policemen in Antipolo City.

Two of the slain suspects were identified as Joel Cuenca, 36, and Carlito Condes.

Cuenca died while being rushed to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, while Condes was killed on the spot. Condes was identified through an identification card recovered from his wallet.

Chief Superintendent Gil Meneses, Calabarzon police director, said Cuenca was a dismissed policeman.

Superintendent Rodino Elfa, Antipolo City police chief, said the suspects carjacked a Chevrolet with license plate XBN-353 in Taytay, Rizal early yesterday morning.

Upon receipt of the carjacking report, Meneses immediately ordered the setting up of checkpoints in all entry and exit points of the province.

Meneses said the suspects were flagged down by policemen manning a checkpoint along Ambassador Neri Avenue in Barangay Sta. Cruz at around 2:45 a.m. yesterday. 

Instead of stopping, however, the driver of the stolen vehicle stepped on the gas and a brief chase ensued.

Elfa said the suspects opened fire at the pursuing policemen, triggering the shootout.

Scene of the crime operatives recovered a caliber .38 revolver and a caliber .45 pistol in the stolen vehicle and several spent shells.

Meneses said the suspects were behind the spate of carjackings in Antipolo City and neighboring towns.

The shootout took place on the same spot where four other carjackers were killed in another encounter with policemen last month.