Chief Inspector Reynaldo Dela Cruz, town police chief, identified two of the suspects as Rodel Hizon,33, of Barangay Luna, this town and Modesto Sison, of Barangay Barrera, Cabanatuan City. Police has yet to establish the identity of the third suspect, according to Dela Cruz.
Police recovered from the crime scene a motorcycle without license plate, two cal. 38 revolvers and a .9mm pistol.
In his report to Senior Supt. Ricardo Marquez, acting director of the Nueva Ecija police provincial office, Dela Cruz said they set up a checkpoint somewhere in Barangay Luna here upon receiving intelligence information that the group would stage a hold-up that afternoon.
But apparently sensing the presence of the lawmen in the area, the suspects took evasive action and rode to Soledad Road. This prompted the authorities to track them down.
When the policemen flagged them down, the suspects reportedly opened fire at them, forcing the police to fire back.
Dela Cruz said the suspects belonged to the so-called Alakdan Group that operates in this town, San Leonardo, Cabanatuan City and as far as Bulacan.
Among the victims of the group, he said, were money lending business personnel, vegetable dealers, businessmen and commuters.
One of the supposed victims, dela Cruz said, immediately recognized the helmet taken from him when he was robbed.
Last week, police killed in another shootout two alleged members of a robbery gang in Barangay Sapang, Cabanatuan City.