3 suspected robbers killed in shootout incident in Laguna province

By Ronron
October 9, 2007

Three suspected robbers were killed in a shootout incident against policemen before dawn of Tuesday in Laguna province, police said.

Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Felipe Rojas said the suspects were shot dead at around 2:30 am after engaging the chasing police operatives in a shootout instead of giving themselves up.

He identified the three as Gregorio Ruellas, 31; Santiago Pontanoza, 27; and Jayson Pontanoza, 25; all of Barangay Bautista, San Pablo City.

Rojas said the shootout happened along Carmelite Road in Barangay Concepcion of same city.

The three, who were onboard a tricycle and a motorcycle, had earlier robbed a resident of Barangay Santo Angel in the same city, identified as Romeo Formales, at around 11:30 pm Monday, Rojas said.

This prompted the police operation that was participated by elements of the San Pablo City Police, the Traffic Management Group (TMG) of Police Region IV-A, and Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division.

A mobile of the TMG sustained gunshots during the brief shootout, Rojas said.

Recovered from the suspects after the incident were two caliber 38 revolvers, a hand grenade, the 1,500-pesos that was taken from Formales, and some foreign currencies of unknown amount.

Rojas said the neutralization of the three is expected to reduce the robbery and hold-up incidents in the province, especially in San Pablo City, noting the involvement of the three in similar incidents in the past./DMS