6 suspected robbers killed, cop hurt in Laguna shootout

At least six suspected members of a tricycle robbery gang were shot dead while a policeman was wounded in a shootout in Laguna province Wednesday night, reports said. Radio dzBB reported early Thursday the incident occurred in Biñan town’s Francisco village, where the suspects were flagged down at a checkpoint. Laguna police chief Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz said they set up a checkpoint at Olivares Plaza after receiving a tip that men on a tricycle had just pulled off a holdup operation. A report on GMA’s late-night news Saksi quoted Cruz as saying that the police team flagged down two tricycles without license plates upon seeing the men inside were acting suspiciously.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV But instead of stopping, the tricycles engaged policemen in a chase until they reached a nearby subdivision where the shootout occurred. Recovered from the suspects were five .38 caliber handguns and an grenade, the report said. The slain suspects were not immediately named. One of the policemen in the encounter was wounded in the shoulder and knee. The report did not immediately identify him but a separate radio report identified him as PO1 Wester Ortiz. Meanwhile, police tightened security in Biñan after the incident to watch for other members of the gang. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV