Manhunt launched for Laguna bank rob suspects

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Police yesterday launched a manhunt for a man and a woman tagged in last Wednesday’s bank robbery in Sta. Cruz town here, which resulted in the killing of two suspects and arrest of two others.

The two were among six robbers who engaged police officers in a shootout following the robbery at the Philippine National Bank in Barangay Poblacion at around 10:30 a.m., according to Senior Superintendent Chitadel Gaoiran, spokesperson for the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) police.

The Commission on Human Rights is questioning the shootout, saying it was an “overkill.”

Police said Pablo Javier, 39, and Gerald Mendoza, 28, both of Quezon City were arrested in a pursuit operation in Nagcarlan town minutes after the incident.

Police Officer 3 Cyril Gobis of the Sta. Cruz police station was taken to a hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound in the hand.

The slain suspects have yet to be identified.

The group reportedly posed as bank clients.

Javier and Mendoza have been charged with robbery, illegal possession of firearms and drugs, and violation of the election gun ban.