Cabbie comes out with version of Pasig 'shootout'

A taxi driver plying the Ortigas route in Pasig on Tuesday claimed that the encounter between police and suspected carjackers last week was a rubout contrary to statements made by law enforcers.

"Grabe 'yung ginawa [ng mga pulis], bakit hindi man lang tinanong muna sila, niratrat derecho[ang mga suspek] (What they was gruesome. They did not even stop the suspects' car for questioning, they just opened fire)," the witness, identified only as "Mang Ado," told TV Patrol World.

The driver said he witnessed the incident after droppping off a passenger at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. After the hotel, he was cruising along Ortigas Street for a passenger when he saw a Toyota Revo van tailing a red car.

He said he was surprised when he heard gunshots.

Carjacking suspects Anton Cu-Unjieng, Bryan Dulay and Francis Xavier Manzano, who were aboard a red Nissan Exalta, were killed in what police claimed was a shootout near the corner of Garnet and Ortigas streets on November 7.

The witness said he did not see anyone from the car firing at the policemen from the Revo. "Hindi. Ang nagbabaril lang 'yung nasa Revo... nang ma-cut at maharangan ng Revo ang pulang kotse."

"Pinagbababaril pa 'yung kotse, 'yung isa nga sinuksok pa talaga 'yung baril niya sa loob ng kotse...'yung isang pulis, tinutukan kami at pinaikot kami (They shot at the car and one of the policemen placed what looked like a gun inside the car)," Mang Ado said.

The driver said he came out with the revelation though he fears for his family, especially since his young children. He also said his conscience bothered him.