2 cops, rob suspect hurt in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Two policemen and a suspected robber were wounded in a shootout in Fairview, Quezon City yesterday afternoon.

The police team was conducting surveillance on four men in Barangay North Fairview, said Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano.

Police Officer 3 Dandy Pascasio and Police Officer 2 Roberto San Miguel were brought to a hospital and reported to be out of danger as of last night.

Albano said one of the four men was also wounded in the gun battle and was brought to the hospital. He did not name the suspected robber.

According to Albano, the policemen were staking out the four men in a house in the area when the encounter happened at past 5 p.m.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said the men were believed to be involved in a series of violent robberies in Quezon City and other parts of Metro Manila. He said that in some cases, the victims were killed.

Pagdilao said policemen believe the four were planning another robbery.

Albano said policemen recovered a motorcycle taken from Mark Matthew Alvarez, a car sales executive, during a robbery last Saturday.