PNP identifies 2 accomplices who escaped Bacoor shootout

MANILA — The Philippine National Police has identified the two remaining members of a robbery-hold-up group who escaped a shootout with police in Bacoor City, Cavite on Tuesday.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities are now tracking down the two suspects, whose identities are being withheld pending the ongoing manhunt operation.

“The police are now hot on the tracks of these two suspects. They were already identified so magkakaroon ng kaso ‘yun, lalo na merong shootout,” Nartatez said.

Five members of the group were killed following a high-speed chase that ended in an armed encounter with police.

The group is believed to be behind a series of robberies in Metro Manila and the Calabarzon region.

Two of the fatalities were also identified as former police officers.

Nartatez said the authorities are also withholding the identities of the two former policemen as investigators continue to establish the group’s membership and determine the crimes they may have committed.

“Aalamin natin kung sino ‘yung mga kasama nila and soon, it will be unearthed especially walang kaso sa kanila or kakasuhan pa lang,” he said.

“Not only these cohorts that soon to be ma-unmask natin, but also of the cases they have committed in the past, ‘yun ang kailangan natin,” he added.

The PNP is also looking into the group’s criminal activities to determine the extent of its operations.