3 dead, 2 nabbed in QC, Manila shootouts

MANILA, Philippines - Two suspected robbers and an informant were killed and two men were arrested in separate shootouts in Quezon City and Manila yesterday.

In a report to Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega, QCPD Station 10 commander Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr. said police officers were chasing Rizalino Zatar in a slum area in Barangay Central when around 10 men ambushed them.

While Zatar – who reportedly leads a local gang involved in drug peddling and robbery – escaped, police officers arrested security guard Adonis Canque, 29; and Monim Dodig, 18, allegedly Zatar’s son. Both Canque and Dodig were armed with .45 caliber handguns.

An alley less than five feet wide, believed to be the way to Zatar’s house, was where the encounter occurred. Police Officer 3 Frederick Gracilla was shot in the leg and back while a still unidentified informant was killed in the gunbattle.

In Manila, two unidentified men were killed in a shootout with police officers in Sta. Cruz, Manila before dawn yesterday after allegedly robbing two vendors who were on their way to the Blumentritt market.

Adoracion dela Cruz, 44, and Gina Manimtim, 42, said they were walking along L. Rivera street at around 2:10 a.m. when two men on a motorcycle grabbed Dela Cruz’s bag. Dela Cruz held on to her bag, which contained P8,000 and her cell phone, until one of the men poked a gun at her.

The two men fled toward F. Huertas street, where they encountered a police patrol team. They shot at the police officers, triggering a gunfight.

One of the suspected robbers was estimated to be between 30 and 35 years old and at least 5’6” tall, while his companion was between 20 and 25 years old and about 5’3” in height.

Investigators recovered a 9mm Beretta pistol and a .38 caliber revolver from the suspects. Both guns’ serial numbers were defaced.