MANILA, Philippines - Four alleged robbers were killed after they traded shots with police in Baseco Compound, Port Area, Manila yesterday.
Two of the slain suspects were identified as Henry Ursal, 27, and William Olivar, 38.
Police also recovered assorted firearms from the suspects.
Senior Inspector Rolando Lorenzo, chief of the Manila City Hall Public Assistance Center, said he received a call from a concerned resident, informing them about the presence of four armed men acting suspiciously in the area at 11:30 a.m.
He immediately formed a team and proceeded to Baseco Compound.
The suspects reportedly opened fire at the approaching policemen, prompting them to retaliate, killing all four suspects on the spot.
But a neighbor of Olivar, who refused to be identified, told The STAR that he was at the vicinity when the supposed shootout occurred. He said there was no shootout as the policemen fired instantaneously upon seeing the armed suspects.
Another witness said that Olivar and his companions were looking for a man who shot him a few months back.
“They were looking for the man who shot him to get even, apparently some people called the police and said they were robbers or something,” the witness said in Filipino.
He said one of those killed was a pedicab driver, who happened to be in the area when the incident occurred.
Police investigators said that one of the slain suspects was involved in the killing of a policeman from the Manila Police District-Station 5. - By Rey Galupo
