4 alleged hired killers slain in QC shootout
An alleged leader of a gunfor-hire group and his three companions were killed in what police said was a shootout in Quezon City at dawn yesterday.
Recto Piadozo and his companions were allegedly out to stage a heist along Katipunan Avenue in Barangay Loyola Heights when they were intercepted by police officers headed by Senior Superintendent Ronald Lee of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) National Capital Region at past 3 a.m.
Lee said despite being cornered, Piadozo got out of a Honda Accord (USH 888) and fired at the policemen, prompting them to return fire.
Piadozo died at the scene. The bodies of his two companions were recovered in the car while the fourth suspect was declared dead on arrival at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center.
Police recovered from the suspects two .45-caliber pistols, a 9mm pistol, a hand grenade and a fan knife.
Lee said the group was tagged in the killing of taxi driver Alberto Labasbas at a gas station in Valenzuela City on Jan. 27.
Prior to the shootout, Lee said he received information that Piadozo’s group was planning to stage a hit in Quezon City.
CIDG operatives, along with members of the Special Operations Division of the Highway Patrol Group and the Quezon City Police District, waited for two days until the suspects were spotted in front of a restaurant along Katipunan Avenue yesterday waiting for their target, Lee said.
The suspects noticed the presence of policemen and sped off toward the southbound lane of C- 5 service road, prompting the lawmen to give chase and block their path.
A firefight ensued, resulting in the death of the four suspects.