Quezon City shootout: 1 dead, 2 arrested

MANILA, Philippines — Policemen killed an armed man and arrested two other persons in an alleged shootout in Quezon City on Friday.

Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District director, said policemen were conducting an Oplan Galugad operation along Geronimo street in Barangay Sta. Monica at around 10 p.m. when they spotted four men in a Toyota Vios parked along the road.

Eleazar said a shootout ensued when one of the suspects pulled out a handgun and opened fire.

The suspects sped off towards Quirino Highway in Barangay Kaligayahan where they were met by another group of police officers manning a security checkpoint.

They alighted from the vehicle and scampered into different directions. One of the suspects, who remains unidentified, was killed during an exchange of gunfire with policemen, Eleazar said.

Two other suspects, identified as Jerry Taturan, 41, and Gerome Gonzales, 18, were arrested. Another suspect escaped and is now the subject of a police manhunt.

Police recovered two .45 caliber pistols and a 9mm handgun from suspects.

The arrested suspects are facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and violation of the nationwide election gun ban.