TWO motorcycle-riding men were killed in a shootout with policemen manning a checkpoint, minutes after they held up a call center agent in Quezon City before dawn Wednesday.
Investigators of Quezon City Police Station 6 said the slain suspects have yet to be identified but described them to be in their early 40s and late 40s, both clad in black jackets and black shirt. One of the suspects was wearing a black cap and pants while the other one was wearing a brown bonnet and brown short pants.
Initial investigation showed that members of Batasan Police Station (PS-6) were manning a Comelec checkpoint at the corner of Payatas Road and Molave Street in Barangay Payatas 2:15 a.m. when two men riding a motorcycle appeared and deliberately ignored the cops.
Authorities tried to flag down the suspects but the men sped off, prompting the police officers to chase them.
When they were cornered on Katipunan Extension inside AMLAC subdivision, the back rider suddenly fired shots at the pursuing officers, triggering a shootout.
The suspects died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds.
Meanwhile, complainant Maribel Fernandez, 28, a call center agent, arrived with some police officers at the crime scene and positively identified the suspects as those who robbed her earlier that day.
According to Fernandez, she was walking on her way to work along Ilang-ilang Street corner IBP Road in Barangay Payatas around 1:40 a.m. when the suspects onboard a black and orange motorcycle without plate number forcibly took his shoulder bag at gunpoint.
Police recovered from the suspects the stolen bag containing some cash, identification cards, and a mobile phone.
Also found in the crime scene were the Yamaha Mio Soul motorbike of the suspects, two .38-caliber revolvers, and 14 sachets of shabu. (Alexandria San Juan)
