4 of 8 rob suspects slain in shootout

Quezon City police officers killed four men believed to be members of a robbery gang during a shootout in Mangahan shortly before midnight yesterday.

Authorities said Dominic Torres, 43; Bernard Salibio, 29; Bernard Roquero, 31, and Wilbert Ricafort, all residents of Bulacan, were shot dead by anti-carjacking police officers after they evaded a police checkpoint along Commonwealth Avenue.

The Quezon City police’s anti-carjacking chief Inspector Angelo Nicolas said the slain suspects were riding motorcycles in tandem with four companions when they were spotted by police officers manning a checkpoint near the Mangahan market at around 11:40 p.m.

The checkpoint, according to the official, was part of their “Oplan Sita” which seeks to curb robberies and carjackings done by suspects riding in tandem on motorcycles. Senior Superintendent Neri Ilagan led the checkpoint team.

Nicolas said all eight suspects were told to pull over for inspection but they instead drove off toward Villongco street, prompting the police officers to chase them.

He said in his report the suspects were the first to fire at the policemen, who fired back.

Two suspects were killed at the corner of Bicol and Leyte streets while another pair fell at San Pedro street.

The police recovered from the slain suspects two motorcycles with license plates OI-6370 and HI-1612, an M26 fragmentation hand grenade, three .38 caliber revolvers, a 12-gauge shotgun, and three bags.

Nicolas said the other four suspects, riding two motorcycles, escaped.