2 motorbike thieves slain in shootout

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected motorcycle thieves were killed in an alleged shootout with police officers in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

The unidentified suspects allegedly opened fire when police officers were about to arrest them in Barangay San Bartolome at around 3:05 a.m.

Brig. Gen. Danilo Macerin, Quezon City Police District director, said personnel of the QCPD Station 4 were pursuing the suspects who, together with two companions, forcibly took the motorcycle of a woman along Goodwill Avenue at around 2:30 a.m.

Policemen cornered two of the suspects along Diamond street in the same subdivision but instead of surrendering, they reportedly pulled out handguns and a shootout ensued.

Recovered from the suspects’ possession were two .38 caliber revolvers, four sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and the victim’s motorcycle. Macerin has ordered a manhunt for the two other suspects.