2 motorcycle-riding suspects killed in shootout with Manila cops

Two motorcycle riders were killed in a gunfight with police officers in Manila's Tondo district, according to a Sunday report on GMA 7 news program "24 Oras Weekend".

Investigators said that the police officers had attempted to accost the motorcyclists because they were driving against the flow of traffic.

"Nung sinita ng pulis natin kasi nga nag-counterflow, biglang bumunot ng baril. Nagkaroon ng armed encounter," said Police Senior Inspector Dave Abarra, commander of the Smokey Mountain police station.

Authorities speculated that the two suspects were armed robbers that operated in the area.

"Modus nila 'yung mga nakakasalubong nila... halimbawa 'yung naglalakad ng madaling araw, 'yun ang hinoholdup nila. Ka-counterflow sila kesa umikot pa sila," Abarra explained.

Found on the suspects were 13 sachets of suspected shabu and two .38 caliber pistols.

Tayuman

A similar gunfight between cops and two motorcycle riders also occurred in the Tayuman district, with both motorcyclists also killed in this instance.

Police officers were in the area because of reports that the motorcyclists were behaving suspiciously.

"'Yung natunugan nila na may sumusunod sa kanila. Unang bumunot at saka pinutukan 'yung kapulisan natin," explained Police Superintendent Jerry Corpuz, Manila Police District Station 7 station commander. 

Found on the suspects were a .45 caliber pistol and five sachets of suspected shabu.

Investigators speculated that the suspects were involved in two shootings last Friday and Saturday. — Anna Felicia Bajo/DVM, GMA News