3 alleged guns-for-hire slain in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Three motorcycle riders believed to be guns-for-hire were killed in what police said was a shootout in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Police identified one of the fatalities as Jessie Roden. 

The suspects were neutralized after they allegedly engaged traffic police in a firefight along Payatas Road near Violago Homes II in Barangay Payatas at around 2:10 a.m.

The Quezon City Police District Special Traffic Action Group  and Task Force Limbas of the Highway Patrol Group set up a checkpoint following reports about an assassination plot in the area.

Probers said the suspects on two motorcycles ignored the checkpoint and took a U-turn going to Montalban in Rizal, prompting authorities to give chase.

The suspects allegedly opened fire at police as they fled.

Police officers retaliated, killing two suspects at the scene. Roden was rushed to the Malvar General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. 

The suspects died from multiple gunshots to the body. 

Probers said they recovered two .45-caliber handguns and a .38-caliber pistol from the suspects.