2 rob suspects slain in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Two men were killed in an encounter with policemen after they allegedly robbed a gasoline station in Quezon City at past midnight yesterday.

The two men remained unidentified following the gun battle in Barangay Mariana.

Superintendent Victor Pagulayan, commander of the Quezon City Police District Station 11, said the two suspects were armed with a .38 caliber revolver and a .22 caliber pistol, both homemade.

The two cellular phones the suspects allegedly took from employees at the gas station were also recovered, he said.

An employee at the gasoline station along E. Rodriguez Sr. Boulevard called the attention of policemen on patrol and reported the robbery staged by two men on a motorcycle.

Policemen spotted the motorcycle along Gilmore street as the suspects headed for Aurora Boulevard. They chased and cornered the suspects along 11th street, at which point the suspects allegedly opened fire, triggering the gun battle.