3 carjack suspects slain in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Three alleged carjackers were killed when they reportedly shot it out with police officers at a checkpoint in Quezon City on Sunday night.

One of the slain suspects was identified as Archilles Velasco, 22.

The three men were in a stolen taxi when they were cornered by police along North Avenue in Barangay Vasra before midnight. A fourth man, who drove the vehicle, escaped, police said.

The police earlier put out an alarm for the stolen taxi (AAY-6451) after its driver, Alberto Topacio, reported the carjacking at around 10:25 p.m.

Topacio said four armed men forced him out of the car while they were traversing Kamias Road around 20 minutes earlier.

The suspects reportedly boarded the taxi along E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue and asked Topacio to drop them off at UP Village. 

Recovered at the crime scene were two loaded Colt .45 caliber pistols and an Armscor .45 caliber pistol.