3 robbers slain in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Three of four suspected robbers were killed in what police said was a shootout in Quezon City before dawn yesterday. 

Police have yet to identify the fatalities, who were gunned down along De Leon street in Barangay Holy Spirit at around 1:15 a.m.

Prior to the firefight, probers said the suspects robbed two passengers at gunpoint as they got off a taxi along Nawasa Lane. 

The suspects took the taxi as their getaway vehicle. 

Police operatives spotted the stolen vehicle and tried to pull it over, but the suspects sped off, prompting police to give chase.

When they reached De Leon street, the suspects opened fire at police who retaliated, killing three suspects at the scene.

The other suspect managed to flee.

Police said they recovered a .45-caliber handgun, a .22-caliber pistol, a .380-caliber revolver, nine sachets of shabu and the taxi.

The victims identified the slain suspects as the ones who robbed them.

Police also recovered the cell phones and personal belongings of the victims.

The case was turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Quezon City police.