8 rob suspects killed by police

MANILA, Philippines - Eight suspected robbers on four motorcycles were killed in what police described as a firefight at a checkpoint in Silang, Cavite yesterday afternoon.

Three of the fatalities were identified as Jomar Pereña, a certain Buchoy Babaan, and one alias Totoy, who were believed to be members of a robbery gang, said Senior Superintendent Joselito Esquivel, Cavite police director.

“They belonged to the Alingaro group led by Danilo Lanzaga, alias Glen, responsible for a series of robbery-holdup incidents in Silang, Amadeo and the nearby cities and municipalities in Cavite,” Esquivel said.

Esquivel said they have yet to confirm whether Lanzaga was one of the fatalities as his men were still pursuing a ninth suspect, who managed to escape after the shootout that took place at around 1:30 p.m. in Barangay Litlit.

He said prior to the firefight, they received a tip from an informant who said nine men on four motorcycles were out to rob a hardware store in the area.

The call prompted the Silang police, with the help of the members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, to set up a checkpoint in the village.

“An hour later, the police officers spotted the suspects approaching the checkpoint. But instead of pulling over for inspection, the men reportedly opened fire at the officers, triggering a firefight,” said Superintendent Gil Torralba, chief of the Silang police.

Shortly after the encounter, the police team recovered six .45 caliber and two .38 caliber pistols and three motorcycles believed stolen by the suspects.

Authorities contacted an Indian national who confirmed that he owned one of the three motorcycles used by the slain robbers.

Police said the suspects were responsible for at least eight robbery incidents in Cavite.

“Most of the targets of the suspects are delivery vans of Philip Morris and other cigarette products,” Torralba told The STAR.

Probers said the group’s modus operandi is to hijack delivery vans in the towns of Silang, Amadeo, Bacoor, Imus and Carmona. – With Ed Amoroso, Arnell Ozaeta