2 rob suspects slain in Manila shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Two motorcycle-riding men were killed when they engaged pursuing policemen in a shootout in Sampaloc, Manila Wednesday night after allegedly robbing a woman waiting for a jeepney ride.

Sampaloc police station chief Superintendent Joemar Modequillo said the unidentified suspects, estimated to be in their late 30s, were armed with .38 caliber revolvers.

One of the men bore “BNG” and “Ran 2x Bantaya” tattoos while the other had the names “Clemente Sunga” and “Tuklaw Lita” tattooed on his body.

Modequillo said Carmelene Palacol sought police help when two men on a motorcycle took her handbag while she was waiting for a ride along Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard at past 11 p.m.

Policemen on patrol spotted two men on a motorcycle fitting the description provided by Palacol. The two men started shooting when the lawmen tried to flag them down.

Palacol later identified the slain suspects as the two men who robbed her. Police recovered Palacol’s coin purse, which contained P500, and a cell phone from one of the suspects.  – Nestor Etolle, Sandy Araneta