2 killed, suspect nabbed in Bulacan shootout

At least two people were killed, one of them a civilian, following a shootout between police and members of a robbery-carnap gang in Bulacan province Friday. Philippine National Police Traffic Management Group head Chief Superintendent Errol Pan said the incident occurred after his men and Bulacan police prevented a bank robbery by the "Pañero Gang." "We believe we prevented a holdup. Na-interdict ng TMG and Bulacan PNP, may sketchy report kami ganoon ang gagawin ng grupo (We believe we prevented a holdup. We intercepted them while they were on their way to rob a bank)," Pan said in an interview on dzBB radio. Killed in the incident was a civilian initially identified as Nestor Esguerra, whom the suspects shot while trying to commandeer his Toyota sedan as a getaway vehicle. Also killed was one member of the gang, but he was not immediately identified. Police arrested another member, but two more gang members managed to escape. Citing sketchy reports from the field, Pan said the gang was planning to hold up a branch of Metrobank in Baliuag town. The gang operates mainly in Pulilan and Baliwag towns, he said. He said police had positioned themselves in the area and intercepted the gang. But when the gang was cornered, its members tried to commandeer Esguerra's sedan. "Ayaw ng driver, on the spot binaril siya (When Esguerra refused, they shot him on the spot)," Pan said. - GMANews.TV