3 slain in Batangas shootout

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna , Philippines — Three alleged members of a criminal group were killed in a shootout with police officers following a six-hour standoff in Sto. Tomas, Batangas before dawn yesterday.

Two of the fatalities were identified as Anthony Cube, alias Omar, and Roger Astrera.

The fatalities were from Mindanao who rented an apartment on Valle Pio street in Barangay San Pablo for almost two months, according to Lt. Col. Rey Ochavo, Sto. Tomas police chief.

Reports said that a team of police undercover agents conducted a surveillance operation in the area on Saturday afternoon after residents informed them that several unidentified men were seen frequenting the apartment.

The suspects reportedly noticed the agents around the apartment, prompting them to lock themselves in at past 5 p.m.

They reportedly shouted: “Hindi kami susuko at lalaban kami (We will not surrender, we will fight), Allahu Akbar.”

Authorities tried to negotiate, but they failed to convince the men to surrender.

Police assaulted the apartment at 11:30 p.m., killing one of the suspects, but the men still refused to surrender.

Two assaults followed at 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., which resulted in the death of two more men.

Police said they recovered three pistols and several empty plastic sachets from the suspects.