7 killed in alleged shootout with Manila cops

MANILA, Philippines - Seven suspected members of the Waray-Waray robbery gang were killed during an alleged shootout with policemen Wednesday noon in Manila. GMA’s Flash Report quoted the Manila Police District (MPD) as saying that the suspects were on board a maroon Nissan Escapade (ZEY-778) at the Del Pan bridge in Manila’s Port Area when the shootout erupted past 1 p.m. MPD Director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said that they had put up a checkpoint at the foot of the bridge after receiving information that the group was planning to rob a local gasoline station along Roxas Boulevard. Upon seeing the cops, the suspects ran the checkpoint as authorities gave chase. One of the suspects opened fire, prompting the cops to retaliate, the policemen said. Investigation showed that during the pursuit, the suspects’ vehicle slammed into the center island of the bridge. Four of the suspects were killed on the spot while the three others died while being treated at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital. The GMA report said an unidentified resident was also shot wounded on the knee. Recovered from the scene were a number of spent shells from 9-mm pistols and 45-cal. pistols. Traffic was snarled along Bonifacio Drive even as both lanes at the Del Pan Bridge were initially cordoned off. A radio report aired after the shootout said that a white Isuzu pickup van (WGY-692) was also discovered abandoned not far from the crime scene. Police believe that the second vehicle was used by the suspects after investigators found traces of blood inside. Police Director Geary Barias, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, personally visited the crime scene and said they would immediately be tracking down the owners of the vehicles. As of posting time, traffic flow has already been restored in one lane of the bridge as scene-of-the-crime operations (SOCO) personnel continue to investigate the scene of the incident. The bodies of four men were brought to the Universal Funeral Homes in Manila’s Sta. Cruz district to undergo autopsy. - GMANews.TV