4 dead in separate QC shootouts

Two suspected holduppers and two alleged gun-for-hire men were killed in separate police shootouts in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

In Barangay Holy Spirit, two still unidentified men suspected to be involved in robbery-holdup died after exchanging fire with operatives from Quezon City Police District Special Operation Unit (DSOU) who chased them.

Prior to the shootout, the two unidentified men believed to be in their mid 20s and 30s on board a plateless motorcycle held at gunpoint one Ernesto Plaza, 40, and took away his bag containing more than R4,500 cash, jewelries worth R20,000, and a cell phone.

Plaza then sought assistance from nearby cops, who chased the suspects to Nawasa Lane. Authorities tried to flag down the duo but the two reportedly fired shots to the policemen, who retaliated and fatally shot the suspects.

Meanwhile, two alleged gun-for-hire men were also killed after engaging in a shootout with the same operatives from DSOU in Barangay Payatas-A at about 3:40 a.m.

Initial investigation showed that police saw the two armed men in front of a multipurpose hall along San Miguel Street.

Police officers alighted from their vehicle and while introducing themselves, the suspects fired at them and immediately sped off with their getaway motorbike.

The two, however, were cornered by policemen at San Gabriel Street where the duo were gunned down.

The four fatalities were brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory for autopsy while follow-up investigations are underway.