6 robbery suspects slain in Antipolo shootout

MANILA, Philippines — Six suspected robbers, who have yet to be identified, were killed in an alleged shootout with policemen in Antipolo, Rizal yesterday.

Police said four of the slain suspects were in a brown sedan with license plate ABQ-2011 while two were on a motorcycle when they fired at the policemen along Marcos Highway in Barangay San Jose.

The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) said the shootout started at a gasoline station in Sitio Boso-Boso when law enforcers, who responded to reports that the suspects were in the area, were fired at.

“The suspects escaped toward Baras, which prompted the SOD (Special Operations Division)-HPG mobile and tracker teams to conduct hot pursuit wherein suspects continued to open fire,” a police report read.

Police said the suspects, who fled on foot when their vehicles crashed, continued to fire at law enforcers.

The HPG said one of its operatives was wounded and one of its vehicles sustained two bullet holes.

The Philippine National Police said the operation was launched after it received intelligence reports that the group was responsible for a series of robberies in Central Luzon, Metro Manila and Rizal.

Criminal organizations in Pampanga and Rizal reportedly merged to conduct robberies in Rizal.