PNP: Frustrated murder, other raps filed vs 3 suspects in NLEX shootout

MANILA, Philippines — Frustrated murder and other charges have been filed against the three suspects whom police had a shootout against along the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX), according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Cases have been filed against them,” PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday.

He said that the cases filed before the local prosecutor were for frustrated murder and direct assault in connection with the shootout with the police.

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READ: Police, 3 robbery suspects exchange gunshots along NLEX, says PRO-3

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Co also said the three suspects would face a case for violating Republic Act No. 10591 or the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act; RA No. 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act; and RA No. 9516, which pertains to illegal possession of explosives.

According to Co, the shootout stemmed from the police’s attempt to arrest the group after tracking them down to a toll plaza along NLEX in Bocaue, Bulacan last Friday, resulting in the three suspects getting wounded and being taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

No police officers were harmed during the incident.

Co noted that three hand grenades, including a flash-bang; a 9mm pistol with 11 cartridges; and a caliber .45 pistol with six cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

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He detailed that the 9mm pistol had no serial number; and the caliber .45 pistol had no brand, trademark or serial number, indicating that the firearms may have been unregistered.

Co added that seven sachets of suspected shabu (crystal meth) were also seized from them.

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According to the PNP public information chief, the group allegedly stole a self-service payment kiosk and its cash contents from a convenience store in Tanauan City, Batangas last June 13; P700,000 in cash from another convenience store in Magalang, Pampanga last June 22; and P378,876 in cash from another store in Victoria, Tarlac last June 24.

Co also said the suspects also attempted to rob a delivery hub also in Tanauan City, Batangas last June 19 but were stopped when confronted by a security guard.

He further said whether the three suspects had other cohorts or were involved in other criminal activities is still under investigation.

Co defended the move to arrest the suspects along NLEX, “You have to make decisions on the fly when you’re conducting police operations. It was deemed the proper place by our officers to effect the arrest.”

“Our police officers were already stopping the other motorists who could’ve been affected. Our police’s primordial concern is the public’s safety. But, we had to do it this way because our officers were already being fired at. We had to quickly neutralize the threat,” he further detailed. /das

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