Superintedent Pete Ramos, Malabon City police chief, identified the wounded policeman as PO1 Reynaldo Gabatin. The injured suspect, now confined at the Tondo General Hospital, was identified as Albert Aduan.
The two slain alleged holduppers have yet to be identified.
Investigation showed that at around 3 a.m. yesterday, an employee of Kids and Moms convenience store located at the corner of Gov. Pascual Ave. and Rivera st. in Barangay Acacia, sought the assistance of the police, claiming that three armed men were casing their store. The employee told the police that the armed men were the same suspects who robbed the Kids and Moms branch in Barangay Tonsuya also in Malabon last May 26.
Ramos immediately formed a team composed of Gabatin, PO2 Christopher Rodriguez and PO2 Redentor Mantala Jr. who quickly swooped down on the area. The suspects, however, reportedly put up a fight and fired at the approaching lawmen.
The ensuing gunbattle resulted in the death of two of the suspects and the injury of Aduan, 27, and Gabatin.
Police recovered from the crime scene two .38 caliber revolvers and a homemade shotgun, several spent shells and live bullets.– Pete Laude