3 motorcycle thieves slain in shootout

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – Three suspected motorcycle thieves were killed in an encounter with police officers in Muñoz City, Nueva Ecija on Sunday.

Police Regional Office 3 director Chief Superintendent Rudy Lacadin said the slain suspects, who were not immediately identified, took the motorcycle of Melvin Saturno of Barangay Villa Nati.

Saturno told police the suspects pulled him over along Muñoz-Lupao road in Barangay Poblacion North and took his motorcycle at gunpoint.

Members of the city police pursued the suspects, whom they spotted in Barangay Palosapis.

The suspects shot at the approaching police officers, triggering a firefight.

Investigators recovered two loaded handguns and Saturno’s motorcycle.