News Update 2 people killed in robbery holdup

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Five unidentified armed men shot to death two people when they resisted a robbery holdup in the southern Philippines on Saturday, police said Sunday. The incident occurred in front of the Majad Madrasa Islamic School, Fort Pikit village, Pikit town in Cotabato province at around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said. The suspects held up a gray van with plate number TTD-864, with a driver and seven passengers on board, said Cruz, adding the suspects divested the victims of their personal belongings and shot to death the driver. One passenger, identified as Romeo Bejumia, who resisted, was also shot to death, Cruz said. Police have launched a hot pursuit operation against the suspects.