2 dead in lending shop robbery

Manila, Philippines -  Two robbers were killed when they traded shots with police after they held up a lending company in Malate, Manila yesterday afternoon.

Police said the slain suspects, Roy Diaz and Agustin Tubo, were among those who hit the PJH lending shop at the corner of Taft Avenue and Vito Cruz at 3 p.m.

A policeman was wounded in the shootout.

The suspects were riding two vehicles, a passenger jeepney which they commandeered after the heist and an L-300 van with plate number TEC-577.

Reports said the suspects forcibly seized the manager of the lending firm, Armand Avenido, whom they later abandoned after policemen pursued them.

A third suspect identified as Christopher Salmo, a security guard, was arrested in Makati City shortly after the incident, said acting Makati police chief Superintendent Jaime Santos. – Sandy Araneta, Mike Frialde