ANGELES CITY – Two alleged robbery hold-up suspects were killed by lawmen during a running gunbattle along JP Laurel Avenue, Barangay Anunas here early Friday morning, police authorities announced.
Senior Inspector Agnes Nolasco, chief of the Public Information Office (PIO) of the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), identified the slain suspects as John Ray Atienza and another man only known for his alias, “Lincoln”. Two other suspects eluded arrest.
Nolasco said the suspects were on board an unlicensed white Toyota Hi-Ace Van believed used in a robbery hold-up at the Sydney Hotel situated at Sampaguita Street, Clarkview, Bgy. Malabanias here on Thursday (April 5).
On Friday morning, Nolasco said the suspects’ vehicle was spotted by lawmen manning a checkpoint along JP Laurel Street. She said the occupants ignored the police checkpoints and instead accelerated when flagged down by cops.
Nolasco said a hot pursuit ensued until the suspects were cornered at a narrow alley. She said the lawmen fired warning shots and asked them to surrender peacefully but they opted to shoot it out with the policemen that ended in their demise.
Since Wednesday, police records showed that four lawless elements have also been neutralized by government security forces in separate violent incidents in this city.
Recovered at the crime scene include handguns and pieces of spent shells from different kind of firearms.
Police also placed under custody the vehicle left behind by the fleeing suspects who are subjects of manhunt operations.