2 ‘Martilyo Gang’ men shot dead

Two suspected members of the "Martilyo Gang," believed behind the series of robberies in Quezon City and other parts of Metro Manila, were gunned down by three car-riding men in Rodriquez (formerly Montalban), Rizal last Friday, the police said.

Superintendent Manuel Pion, Rodriguez police chief, believes that the killing of Joey de Guzman, alias Darius de la Cruz, 36, and Rudy Canamales had something to do with their involvement in illegal activities.

"The victims were identified as members of the notorious ‘Martilyo Gang’ who was responsible for the series of robbery-holdups in Metro Manila and Quezon City," said Pion, adding that their killers could be their own cohorts.

The police suspect that a disagreement over the division of the gang’s loot motivated the killing of De Guzman and Canamales.

Pion said the victims appeared to be waiting for somebody at the roadside in Sitio Harangan, Barangay Macabud when a white car, without a license plate, stopped in front of them at about 4:30 p.m. last Friday.

Without a word, the suspects opened fire at the two, killing them on the spot.

Pion said a grenade was found in De Guzman’s possession, while 13 spent shells from a caliber .45 automatic were found at the crime scene. — Non Alquitran