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16 Killed in Dramatic Philippines Shootout

Officers tailed robbery suspects, who 'fired at everyone in sight'

By the Associated Press

Posted Dec 6, 2008 7:56 AM CST

(AP) – A suspected robbery gang armed with automatic weapons and grenades fired on Philippine police officers who were tailing them, leaving at least 16 people dead in a fierce shootout in a Manila suburb, officials said. Officers were following the suspects when the gunmen sensed the surveillance and opened fire, triggering the gunfight late yesterday. “When they found out they were being trailed they went berserk,” said the police chief.

He said the suspects thought they had been cornered and fired at everyone in sight. Among those killed were 12 suspected gang members, a police officer, and three bystanders, including a man and his 7-year-old daughter who were driving through the area. Three police officers were also wounded, including one who was in critical condition. At least three of the gunmen were able to escape, he said.

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Police investigators check the weapons and ammunitions and other items allegedly used by suspected robbery gang members after a shootout with responding police Friday evening, Dec. 5, 2008. (AP Photo)

Philippine National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa, center, talks to the media after paying a visit to wounded police officers confined at the Paranaque Medical Center at suburban Manila, Philippines, Saturday,... (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Philippine National Police investigators examine items found from killed suspected members of a robbery-holdup gang Friday evening, Dec. 5, 2008 at suburban Paranaque south of Manila. (AP Photo)

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When they found out they were being trailed ... they went berserk. They fired all around, including at a flammable tanker beside a warehouse.
- Manila police chief Leopoldo Bataoil

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16 Killed in Dramatic Philippines Shootout