MANILA, Philippines - Four suspected robbers were killed while a policeman was wounded during a shootout in Cavite, Friday afternoon.
Director Joselito Esquivel Jr. of the Cavite Provincial Police Office said they were still determining the identities of the slain suspects.
Esquivel said a fifth suspect managed to escape during the firefight.
Meanwhile, Police Officer 1 Ruben Cruzado of the Special Weapons and Tactics was hit in the arm and leg in the shootout.
Initial reports said that the five armed men, on board a Toyota Avanza, forcibly took a cigarette agent and two of his companions around 10:30 a.m. and hijacked the victims delivery van in Barangay Maguyam, Silang, Cavite.
Authorities, however, cornered the suspects and engaged them in a firefight inside Josephine Subdivision, Barangay Luksuhin, Silang town in Cavite at around 12:15 p.m.
Police recovered from the suspects a 12 gauge shotgun, a carbine, a cal. 45 and a cal. 38 revolver, the Avanza, and delivery van.
The victims, whose hands and feet were wrapped in duct tape, were found at the back seat of suspects' vehicle.