Five suspected members of a criminal group allegedly operating in Central Luzon were killed in an encounter with Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group 3 (PNP-HPG3) in Marilao, Bulacan on Sunday.

According to Bulacan Provincial Police director Senior Superintendent Ferdinand Divina, the suspects were aboard a black Nissan X-trail (XTU-414) and an unlicensed Yamaha Mio when they were intercepted by HPG3 operatives manning the checkpoint in Heritage Subdivision, Barangay Loma de Gato at around 2:30 in the morning.

A shootout ensued, killing four suspects on the spot. A fifth one was wounded and was rushed to Nazarenus Hospital in Meycauayan City but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Recovered from the scene were two caliber .45 pistols, one Ingram sub-machine gun with silencer, one KG9 9mm Luger pistol, one fragmentation grenade, and two handcuffs.

Divina said the suspects were involved in car theft, robbery/hold-up, and other serious crimes in different provinces in the region.

Police investigators are yet to identify the fatalities.