2 rob suspects slain in Rizal

MANILA, Philippines -  Two suspected robbers were gunned down by policemen Saturday, minutes after they stole the motorcycle of a teacher in Morong, Rizal.

Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, Rizal police director, identified one of the slain suspects as Ariel Layosa who had an arrest warrant for robbery and tagged in the rash of burglaries in Morong and nearby towns.

Layosa and his still unnamed companion took the motorcycle, a black Honda Wave, at gunpoint from teacher Leoniel Gonzalez in Barangay San Juan, Morong town Saturday night.

Responding policemen later spotted the stolen motorcycle in Sitio Taghangin. But instead of stopping, Layosa and his companion fired at the law enforcers, triggering a shootout.

Anduyan positively identified Layosa as he was the subject of “Operation Plan Taghangin” aimed at neutralizing criminals in Morong town.