2 people killed in ambush, shootout in N. Philippines

Two people were killed in an ambush and shootout in northern Philippine province of Cavite early Monday morning, police said. Citing an initial investigation, Philippine National Police spokesman Agrimero Cruz Jr. said that at about 5:45 a.m., a certain Boy named Evangelista, a sheep farm owner, allegedly ambushed three persons on board a motorcycle while traversing along Centennial Road corner Kalayaan Street in Batundalig village. A victim identified as Joel Hernandez Manisi of Chut village, La Paz, Tarlac province, died on the spot while the two other victims survived and were brought to a hospital for treatment, he said. At around 8:20 a.m., the elements of the Cavite Provincial Police Office engaged the suspect in an encounter during a pursuit operation that resulted in his death, Cruz said. The suspect was allegedly armed with an M-16 rifle and a caliber 45 pistol, he said. Further investigation was ongoing to determine the motive of the ambush, he said.