SIX suspected members of a robbery gang died following a shootout with policemen in the village of San Francisco in Binan City in Laguna late Thursday.
Central Luzon Police Chief Nicanor Bartolome commended the Binan Police for their solution of the string of robbery and hold-up cases that transpired in the area.
Bartolome also directed the police to enhance some more their operation to rid the streets of criminal elements.
One Police Officer 1 Webster Ortiz was wounded in his left shoulder and right thigh during the encounter.
While the Binan policemen were on their routine spot check along the national highway, a commuter informed them that unidentified men staged hold up to commuters in a dimly lit portion situated along in Barangay San Antonio.
After divesting cellphone and undetermined amount of money, suspects fled towards San Pedro town.
The police mobile spotted the fleeing suspects at Barangay San Fransisco. Instead of surrendering to authorities, the suspects fired at the law enforcers hitting Ortiz.
This triggered the responding lawmen to retaliate and engaged the suspected in a gun battle which resulted to the neutralization of the six suspects.
Recovered at the scene of the encounter were two caliber 38. revolvers, one shotgun, one caliber 22. revolver, one caliber 22. Pistol, one hand grenade and several live ammunitions. (VR/Sunnex)