2 rob suspects slain in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Two robbery suspects were gunned down in a shootout with policemen in Taytay, Rizal before dawn yesterday, authorities said.

Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, Rizal police director, said the slain suspects, Novie del Rosario and Jake Buenaventura, had pending cases for robbery and drug peddling in the local courts.

Anduyan said businessman Randy Espiritu positively identified Buenaventura as the one who took, at gunpoint, his Honda Wave motorcycle in Barangay San Juan, Taytay town last Jan. 31.

The two suspects were onboard Espiritu’s motorcycle when Taytay policemen encountered them in Barangay San Juan at around 2:30 a.m. yesterday. – Non Alquitran, Ed Amoroso