MANILA, Philippines — Three suspected gunrunners were killed in what police said was a shootout in Port Area, Manila at dawn yesterday.
Police identified one of the slain suspects as Robert Pagtaluna.
Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr., director of the Manila Police District, said members of the MPD Station 5 conducted an operation against the group at the Baseco Compound at around 2:10 a.m.
Danao said the transaction was almost done when the suspects sensed that they were dealing with police.
Pagtaluna allegedly drew his gun and fired at the policemen as he and his cohorts fled on a motorcycle, prompting authorities to pursue them.
Police killed the suspects after a brief chase.
Probers said they recovered a motorcycle, four firearms including a .45-caliber handgun and a 9mm pistol as well as a hand grenade and sachets of shabu from the suspects.