“Robber” killed in police shootout

CEBU, Philippines -  A suspected robber died after he was shot during a shootout with the police along General Maxilom Avenue, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City Monday evening.

The suspect, who remains unidentified, sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his chest.

Initial investigation showed that prior to his death, the suspect was seen by the security guard of Saint Theresa's College entered the campus and jumped over the fence. He also reportedly broke the window glass of one of the rooms in the campus.

Security guard Eljem Payot tried to stop the suspect but was shot, prompting him to call for police assistance.

Elements of the Fuente Police Station, Motorcycle Riding Unit of the Special Weapon and Tactics and City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office responded to the area.

Fuente Police Station chief, Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu, said the suspect refused to surrender and instead threw pieces of broken glasses at the policemen and managed to escape by jumping over the fence towards the parking area of the nearby establishment.

Tiu said they chased the suspect, who opened fire at them using a cal. 22 magnum revolver.

The suspect missed and fired another shot, prompting the MRU personnel to return fire.

He was hit in the chest and was brought to Cebu City Medical Center for treatment but was later pronounced dead.

The police recovered from the suspect the firearm that contained ammunition and two empty shells in its cylinder.

Tiu said they are still finding out the identity of the suspect since there was no identification card found in his possession. —  (FREEMAN)