2 slain in shootout with Pangasinan cops

URDANETA CITY, Philippines – Two motorcycle-riding men were killed in a shootout with members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team in this city yesterday. 

The fatalities were identified as Fred Victorio, 43, of Dagupan City, and Julius Velasco of Binmaley, Pangasinan.

City police director Superintendent Jeff Fanged said Victorio was identified through a driver’s license found on his person.

Reports said the city police received a text message about two suspicious-looking men on a motorcycle roaming around the village of Labit since Sunday afternoon.

Fanged said the armed men shot at the members of SWAT men who responded to the area, triggering a shootout.

He said the police patrol car was hit thrice during the exchanged of fire.

One of the suspects died at the scene, the other while being rushed to the Urdaneta General Hospital. 

Police seized two pistols and a hand grenade from the armed men.

Fanged said Victorio was reportedly facing a murder case in Dagupan City.

Police are verifying Velasco’s background with the Binmaley police.

The guns seized from the suspects will be subjected to ballistics tests and cross-matching to determine whether these had been used in previous shooting incidents.

Fanged said text messages from a phone seized from one of the suspects indicated they had an “unfinished mission” in the city.