2 rob suspects slain in Antipolo shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Two suspected robbers who took a taxi driver’s earnings and vehicle were killed in an alleged shootout with police officers in Antipolo City yesterday.

The men, who have yet to be identified, boarded a “Ryan Patrick” taxi driven by Joel Alcantara in Pasig City and asked to be taken to Antipolo City, said Senior Superintendent Bernabe Balba, Rizal police director.

As they were traveling along Sumulong Highway at around 2 a.m., the suspects reportedly took at gunpoint Alcantara’s earnings amounting to P4,000.

They allegedly dragged Alcantara out of the cab and hogtied him before leaving with the taxi.

The driver managed to free himself and reported the incident to the police, who intercepted the suspects at a checkpoint in Barangay Dalig.

The robbers reportedly shot at the police officers, triggering a shootout.             

Police recovered from the scene two handguns, several identification cards, dried marijuana leaves, P4,000 cash and the Toyota Corolla taxi (TYJ-951).

Meanwhile in Iloilo, a 21-year-old man was killed in an alleged shootout with police officers who were serving an arrest warrant for his brother in Ajuy town Saturday.

Francis Padernal died at the scene while his brother, Donald, allegedly a respondent in a robbery case, escaped along with two other suspects.

Donald’s and Francis’ brother, Delpe, surrendered after he was cornered in their safehouse in Barangay Luca.

Town police chief Senior Inspector Ronnie Brillo said his men surrounded the suspects’ hideout but Francis, armed with a shotgun, shot at them, triggering a shootout.

The police officers recovered three shotguns from the scene of the shootout.

Brillo said residents allegedly complained that the group had been terrorizing the village.

The suspect’s father, Francisco, denied the allegation but admitted they have been keeping firearms to protect themselves.

Francisco said he testified in an illegal logging case against a certain Rading Basa and Renante Cacho.

Last Wednesday, a group of gunmen strafed the Padernal house, forcing some members of the family to seek shelter at the barangay hall.

Village chairman Renato Majanlud corroborated Francisco’s statement. – With Ed Amoroso, Jennifer Rendon