MANILA, Philippines — A suspected member of a gun-for-hire syndicate was killed in an alleged shootout with policemen in Quezon City on Friday.
The clash that led to the death of John Philip Rodgriguez occurred in Barangay Payatas at around 5:40 p.m., Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said in a statement.
Torre said operatives of the Bagong Silangan police station were conducting an anti-illegal gambling operation when they spotted Sarmiento on a motorcycle with a firearm protruding from his waistband.
Police claimed Rodriguez pulled out a handgun and opened fire at them, which resulted in a shootout.
Rodriguez died at the scene while there were no casualties on the lawmen’s side. A .38 caliber handgun was recovered from him.
Torre said the suspect was involved in the sale of illegal drugs in the city and has reportedly killed debtors who could not pay him.
“We will find out if the suspect belongs to a group, particularly since there are reports he was a notorious gun-for-hire,” he said.