4 suspects in RCBC robbery killed in ‘clashes’ hours apart

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – (UPDATE 2) Four suspects in the RCBC bank robbery-slay in Cabuyao, Laguna last Friday, were killed in what police called encounters on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning in Tanauan City, Batangas.

Members of Task Force RCBC in Batangas encountered the suspects while on surveillance and follow-up operations in the areas, where the suspects were allegedly hiding, said Chief Superintendent Ricardo Padilla, Calabarzon police regional director.

On Wednesday, around 4:20 p.m., Pepito Magsino, 35, was gunned down in a firefight while one of the policemen was hurt.

Padilla said three other suspects identified as Vivencio Javier, 55; Angelito Malabanan, 35; and Rolly Lachica, 50, were killed in a shootout in the village of Pagaspas, Tanauan City.

All of them were residents of the same village, police said.

Pistols and long firearms were recovered in the encounter site.

Padilla noted, however, that police investigators were still determining whether the four killed were connected to the bank robbery in Cabuyao, Laguna that left 10 people dead.

He said the firearms would be examined and cross-matched with some of the pieces of evidence gathered at the bank.

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