Cops hunting for 2 suspects in Bacoor shootout that left 5 dead

The police are currently searching for two suspects who escaped a shootout in Bacoor, Cavite that left five of their accomplices dead.

In a 24 Oras report from Jun Veneracion on Wednesday, security footage showed how the suspects were already opening fire while they were escaping in a pickup vehicle on the way out of a residential subdivision.

These suspects are thought to be part of the Gapos Gang. Police, including the city police chief, chased the suspects in the pickup.

Once the pickup truck reached the highway, a few other vehicles were nearly hit by gunfire. One pedestrian froze in the middle of the road as the chase took place. Others ran away, afraid of being caught in the exchange.

“Nung nararamdaman ko na pinuputukan na kami binitiwan ko na 'yung radyo ko. Nag focus na kami pagtutok sa kanila pag sunod gumaganti na rin kami pero very careful kami kasi may mga sibilyan na nandoon,” said Bacoor Chief of Police PLTCOL Alexie Desamito said.

(When I felt like we were being shot at, I had to let go of my radio. I focused on firing on them and we were retaliating, but we were very careful because there were civilians present.)

During the chase, one suspect fell from the car. Despite this, he still continued firing.

Once the suspect's car reached the Molino Flyover, it started swerving until it flipped over. Two suspects were able to leave and steal a motorcycle but they were eventually cornered at a dead end road.

A total of five suspects were killed in the shootout, with two of them being former cops. Police recovered five guns from the suspects.

“Isa po was already dismissed another is nag AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) po noong February. These two former police officers were involved in a case sa Caloocan robbery case,” Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said.

(One was already dismissed and another went AWOL last February. These two former police officers were involved in a robbery case in Caloocan City.)

Co said that it was likely that these suspects were part of a larger criminal syndicate.

The suspects were reportedly targeting a businessman.

According to the PNP spokesperson, the suspects’ modus included entering a subdivision or any other residential areas posing as security guards. However, the real guards at the Bacoor subdivision grew suspicious of the suspects, who were not wearing the correct uniform. —Jean Mangaluz/RF, GMA News