5 carjackers dead in Nueva Ecija shootout

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ – Five suspected carjackers were killed in a shootout with police officers manning a checkpoint in Barangay Sapang Cauayan here before dawn yesterday.

Alfredo Parira Jr., 50, a resident of Navotas City, and a certain Harvey, 35, of Tondo died at the scene, said Senior Superintendent Manuel Coronel, Nueva Ecija police director.

The other slain suspects have yet to be identified.

Superintendent Ponciano Zafra, Science City of Muñoz police chief, said they received reports that a black Kawasaki Bajaj tricycle had been stolen in nearby Barangay Bakal in Talavera town around 30 minutes before the incident.

 Zafra said the suspects, who drove past the  checkpoint in the stolen tricycle, did not pull over. They rammed a pole barrier and traded shots with police.

Bullets and bullet shells for a .45 caliber pistol were recovered at the scene.

“The black Kawasaki Bajaj tricycle used by robbers was confirmed to be stolen and owned by one Macario dela Cruz,” Zafra said.

A police car parked near the checkpoint bore bullet holes but no police officer was injured in the shootout. – With Ding Cervantes, Ric Sapnu