Two suspected robbers and a barangay guard were killed while two more barangay watchmen were hurt in a shootout with holdup men who attacked an Indian national in Quezon City Saturday afternoon.

Chief Inspector Benjamin Elenzano, deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD-CIDU), identified one of the slain suspects as Efren Ponce, 38, a resident of Caloocan City.

Elenzano said the other slain suspect has yet to be identified and was only described as between 30 to 35 years old, 5’4” in height, fair complexion, medium built, and has the tattoos “guardians, GPI, Eric” on his right shoulder.

However, a third suspect managed to escape during the shootout that took place at 1:10 p.m. Saturday in front of the Geronimo Building at 55 Tandang Sora Avenue, Barangay Tandang Sora.

The police official said Barangay Public Safety Officer (BPSO) Milogen Mangimsay, 40, of Barangay Tandang Sora was also killed in the encounter.

Two fellow Barangay Public Safety Officer of Mangimsay - Nathaniel Sevilla, 44, and Diosdado Baquiran, 46, both from Brangay Tandang Sora - were wounded when shot at by the suspects.

Policemen seized a blue Honda TMX motorcycle (UP-8523), a black Honda Wave motorcycle (6244-PA), a caliber .45 pistol, 9mm handgun, and caliber .38 revolver that were used by the suspects.

Prior the encounter, the barangay hall of Barangay Tandang Sora received a telephone call from a concerned citizen regarding an ongoing robbery against an Indian national known only as Omar involving suspects aboard three motorcycles.

The barangay hall immediately dispatched the three barangay watchmen for possible apprehension of the suspects. While searching along Tandang Sora Avenue, the barangay watchmen spotted one of the motorcycles that was allegedly used by the robbers and the suspects at a vulcanizing shop.

A scuffle ensued between the suspects and the BPSOs as the robbers tried to fire their handguns at the watchmen. During the scuffle, the suspects managed to fire and hit the three watchmen.

Fortunately, SPO3 Levi Sevilla, who was deployed along Tandang Sora to respond to the robbery, saw the commotion and fired back at the suspects.

Ponce died on the spot while the other suspect was rushed to the Quezon City General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

The three Barangay Public Safety Officer were rushed also to the hospital but Mangimsay was declared dead on arrival.