Rob suspect slain in shootout

BIÑAN CITY, Philippines – A suspected robber was killed while two of his companions managed to escape in an encounter with responding lawmen in Barangay San Antonio in this Laguna city before dawn yesterday.

Superintendent Rizalito Gapas, city police chief, identified the slain suspect as Richard Llamoso, 22, alias Udong, a driver and construction worker.

Prior to the shootout, police said the suspects, who were onboard a tricycle, snatched the backpack of a certain Mark Gil Yu, 24, a service crewmember of a fast-food chain, while he was on his way home. Yu’s wallet containing only P10 was in the bag.

Gapas said Yu suffered a cut on his left hand as he grappled for the knife of one of three robbers. Patrolling policemen noticed the commotion, leading to a 15-minute firefight.