2 car theft suspects slain in shootout

MANILA, Philippines – Two alleged car thieves were killed in an encounter with police officers in Quezon City at past midnight yesterday.

The two slain suspects, who remain unidentified, were reportedly caught in the middle of using drugs in an Isuzu Elf truck parked along Payatas Road while two of their companions were seen removing the truck’s tires by the police officers.

As the lawmen approached, the suspects reportedly shot at them, triggering a shootout that left the two men dead. Their companions escaped.

Recovered at the crime scene were a 9mm North American Black Widow revolver, a Norinco .45 caliber pistol, four sachets said to contain shabu, two sachets of suspected dried marijuana and various drug paraphernalia.

Police said that they received reports that a group of men were seen dismantling the door of the truck prior to the shootout.

The truck was reported stolen from Imelda de Guzman in Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija on Sept. 22, said Senior Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District director.

It is still uncertain if the slain suspects were the ones who stole the truck, which carried construction materials.