Taguig shootout prompts PNP manhunt

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday launched follow-up operations to identify and track down the possible accomplices and associates of a suspected robbery-carnapping group leader who was killed in a shootout with police in Taguig City.

PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed police units to intensify intelligence operations after the alleged leader of the Santos Robbery and Carnapping Group and another suspected member were killed in an encounter with police on Thursday, 12 November.

“We will uncover the group’s operations, track down its remaining members, and establish its possible involvement in other criminal activities. We will make sure that everyone connected to this criminal network is held accountable and brought before the law,” Nartatez said.

Initial police reports indicated that one of the slain suspects was believed to be the group’s leader and reportedly had previous records involving carnapping and theft cases in Rizal and Metro Manila. Authorities are working to identify the second suspect.

According to the Taguig City Police Station, the suspects allegedly robbed a police intelligence operative of his gold necklace inside a restaurant in Barangay Ususan.

They reportedly fled on a motorcycle and were later pursued by responding police personnel, leading to a firefight along Cayetano Boulevard corner Bagong Calzada.

Police recovered firearms, motorcycle plates, clothing and several pieces of jewelry at the scene.

Investigators have been instructed to establish the ownership and history of the recovered items to determine whether they were used or obtained in connection with other crimes.

One responding police officer sustained a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and was taken to a hospital for treatment.