MANILA, Philippines - Four suspected robbers were killed in two separate shootouts in Tondo, Manila in 24 hours, the Manila Police District (MPD) said yesterday.
MPD acting director Senior Superintendent Alex Gutierrez said the neutralization of the four suspects is part of the police’s intensified drive to stem the upsurge of crimes involving motorcycle-riding criminals.
The first shootout occurred at around 4:10 a.m. Thursday after Michael Anthony Arrieta told police he was held up by four men on two motorcycles while he was waiting for a ride at the corner of Moriones and Mabuhay streets.
A police team led by Superintendent Joemar Modequillo engaged the fleeing men in a shootout and recovered Arrieta’s gold necklace and his wallet, which contained P2,000.
The slain suspects were identified by their relatives as Jericho Curay, 32; and Raymart de la Rosa, 21. Both men were facing charges of frustrated homicide and theft.
At around 2 a.m. yesterday, two more suspected robbers were also killed in a shootout with policemen at the corner of Narra and Algue in Tondo after they allegedly robbed two women who had been shopping at the Tutuban Mall. The policemen recovered the victims’ bags and the women identified the two slain suspects as the ones who robbed them.
Gutierrez has ordered more police officers on motorcycles to help curb street crimes.