3 'Bolt Cutter' gang members slain

MANILA, Philippines - Police shot dead on Good Friday three members of a “Bolt Cutter” robbery gang during an alleged shootout in Imus town in Cavite.

The neutralization of the three robbers was part of the intensified security operations of the Calabarzon police against robbery groups, especially the dreaded “Akyat-Bahay” gang, during the Holy Week.

Calabarzon police director Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad credited alert barangay officials for the neutralization of the three “Bolt Cutter” gang members.

It was the barangay officials of Palico 4 in Imus town who called up Superintendent Efren Castro, Cavite officer-in-charge regarding the presence of three unidentified men forcibly opening a computer shop with the use of a bolt cutter at about 3 a.m. on Good Friday, said Palad.

When responding elements of the Imus police station were about to approach the computer shop, the suspects opened fire at their direction.

Castro said his men returned the suspects fire killing one of them on the spot.

The two other suspects died while being rushed to the nearby St. Dominique hospital, said Castro.

Responding elements of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) of the Calabarzon police recovered at the encounter site a bolt cutter, and a .38 caliber revolver.

Palad said his men also took into custody a Nissan Vannette (UMG 783) which the suspects used in their nefarious activities.

Castro said the suspects were not carrying documents that could help identify them. Their remains now lie in state at a local funeral parlor in Imus town.

Palad said a through verification with the Land Transportation Office showed that the license plate of the confiscated Nissan Vannette was registered to an Isuzu Elf van.

The Calabarzon police director expressed strong belief that the gang was responsible for a series of robberies in Cavite and its neighboring provinces using the same modus operandi.

The neutralization of the suspects brought to seven the number of robbers killed by Castro’s men during a two-week operation against robbery syndicates.