3 robbery suspects killed in QC shootout

Police officers from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) killed three of four suspected robbers during a shootout along Commonwealth Avenue Thursday evening, an official said yesterday.

QCPD director Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula said the suspects boarded a passenger jeepney in front of the Philippine Coconut Authority building at around 7 p.m. Upon reaching the Diliman Preparatory School, the four men announced the robbery.

A female passenger, however, jumped from the jeepney and sought the assistance of policemen in the area.

“It so happened that we have police personnel at the footbridge, who immediately responded and chased the suspects,” Gatdula said.

He said pursuing lawmen were forced to fire at the suspects when they chose to fight instead of giving up.

Three of the suspects – including the leader, identified only as Moreno – were killed in the shootout. One suspect escaped on foot.

Police recovered three handguns and a bladed weapon near the bodies of the suspects.

Gatdula said the suspects belonged to the notorious Moreno group operating along Tandang Sora and Commonwealth Avenues. Their favorite targets are FX vans and passenger jeepneys plying the area, he added.