Five killed in Quezon City shootout

At least five people, including a policeman, were killed while two were wounded in an encounter between police operatives and a robbery gang in Quezon City Friday night. Authorities said the shootout happened after at least seven men robbed passengers in a jeepney in Fairview area, radio dzBB reported Saturday. Killed in the incident were PO3 Erwin Hipolito, a jeepney driver initially identified as Rommel Tinio, and three of the suspects. The wounded were PO1 Cyril Agitong and another jeep driver initially identified as Ignacio Rigor. An initial investigation showed the men declared a holdup at 6 p.m. aboard the jeepney driven by Rigor on Regalado Avenue. The suspects shot and wounded Rigor, then transferred to the passenger jeepney driven by Tinio. But Tinio's jeep collided with a police car. Tinio called for help but he was shot dead by the suspects. A shootout between the suspects and the policemen ensued. PO3 Hipolito and one of the suspects were killed while PO1 Agitong was wounded. The other suspects fled but police caught up with them at a lot in Pasong Putik village where another shootout took place. Two more suspects were killed in the second encounter. — LBG, GMA News