Car theft suspect slain, 2 others arrested

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected car thief was killed and his two companions were arrested following an alleged shootout with police officers in Quezon City Friday afternoon.

Richard Mangulabnan, 34, was declared dead on arrival at a hospital after he reportedly traded shots with operatives from the Novaliches police station.

A police report said the encounter happened along Genoveva street in Barangay Gulod at around 4:30 p.m.

According to an initial investigation, lawmen were conducting an anti-crime operation when they spotted Mangulabnan and two others – Jason Bernardo, 36, and Fred Pablo, 22 – on a Yamaha Mio motorcycle.

When police officers flagged down the suspects, Mangulabnan drew a gun as he and his companions fled in different directions.

“Mangulabnan took refuge in a compound and when he was about to be arrested and instructed by the police officers to surrender, the suspect again poked his gun,” the report said.

This prompted policemen to shoot Mangulabnan several times. The other suspects surrendered.

Investigators found out the motorcycle used by the suspects was the same one stolen Wednesday night at a supermarket parking lot in Barangay Nova Proper.

Probers recovered a .45 caliber pistol and two sachets of shabu from the slain suspect. A .45 caliber pistol was also confiscated from one of his companions.