2 men killed in gunfight with cops

Two men allegedly selling guns were killed in a shootout with police in Ermita, Manila, early Friday morning.

Police identified the slain suspects as Martin Malinao Gomez and Robert Tan Hernandez.

The incident happened past 3 a.m. on Feb. 22 at Liwasang Bonifacio west overpass, according to police report.

Gomez died on site from gunshot wounds in the head and body while Hernandez was declared dead on arrival Ospital ng Maynila at 4:18 a.m due bullet wounds in the abdomen.

Initial report revealed that the members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Manila conducted a buy-bust operation against the duo at the Ayala Bridge fronting the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP).

When it was time to turn over the purchased firearm to the poseur-buyer, the two boarded their motorcycle, prompting the cops to chase them.

The fleeing suspects fired shots at the policemen upon reaching a check-point at Liwasang Bonifacio.

Members of CIDG-Manila and Lawton Police Community Precinct (PCP) joined the chase.

The suspects alighted from their vehicle at Liwasang Bonifacio west overpass and ran away separately.

Hernandez was cornered by SPO 4 Roberto Chua at the Park and Ride bus terminal. Gomez, on the other hand, was killed after exchanging fire with the pursuing policemen.