TWO policemen and a lawyer who has just withdrawn P1 million from a bank in Paco, Manila, were killed in a shootout with holdup men.

Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales, Manila Police District (MPD) commander, said one of the six gunmen was wounded in the gun battle that broke out at about 10 a.m. after policemen tried to stop the gunmen who robbed and killed the lawyer.

Rosales identified the lawyer as Alfred Dy, who is reportedly a University of Santo Tomas employee. The two policemen who were killed were Police Officer 2 Neri Francisco and PO3 Jose Ysmael Santos.

Initial investigation revealed that Dy has just withdrawn P1 million from the Banco de Oro branch on A. Linao Street, Paco, Manila, and was driving a Honda CRV van, with license plate ZJA-847, when a jeepney stopped and blocked it. Two persons onboard a motorcycle then fired at Dy, then broke the vehicle’s window using a hammer. The gunmen then reportedly took the bag containing the P1 million from Dy’s car and fled.

Rosales said Francisco and Santos, who were both off duty at the time, heard the gun shots and rushed to the scene.

The two, however, were met by a volley of fire from the companions of the two robbers. One of them was killed on the spot.

Rosales said the robbers left their motorcycles at Anak Bayan and Singalong streets then transferred to a beige Nissan sedan.

Investigators recovered spent caliber .45 and 9mm shells at the scene.

Dy was taken to the Makati Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival. Francisco, who was hit in the head, died on the spot, while Santos was taken to the Ospital ng Maynila, where he expired.

Rosales said the family of the policemen will receive financial assistance from the National Police.

Investigators have asked the Land Transportation Office and the National Bureau of Investigation to be allowed to tap into the databases of the two agencies in an effort to identify the gunmen.

“The online access will enable policemen to check on suspicious persons or vehicles quickly and efficiently,” Rosales said, “while the global positioning system will enable the command tactical-operations center to efficiently monitor and deploy patrol cars in areas where police assistance is needed.”

Rosales added that MPD officials are now coordinating with bank officials to implement strict security measures in and around their establishments for their and their clients’ protection.

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THE House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Monday night a tax measure that frees from any tax obligation all wage earners grossing P150,000 and below annually.

TWO policemen and a lawyer who has just withdrawn P1 million from a bank in Paco, Manila, were killed in a shootout with holdup men.

MALOLOS CITY—The police should be given enough time to solve the killing of former Calumpit, Bulacan mayor Ramon “Monching” Pagdanganan.