Security guard dies in Caloocan shootout

A security guard died after he was allegedly hit by a stray bullet during a shootout between a motorcycle robbery suspect and the police along Rizal Avenue, Barangay 41, Caloocan City early Thursday morning, Sept. 28.

The Caloocan City Police Station (CCPS) identified the victim as Ariel Clavido, a security guard of a bank located at Grace Park, 2nd Avenue, in the said barangay.

The CCPS said that its operatives conducting an "Oplan Sita" operation in the thoroughfare between 1st and 2nd Avenues at around 2:10 a.m. on Thursday, flagged down  a blue Honda Click motorcycle driven by the unidentified suspect after they noticed him acting suspiciously.

It said that the suspect tried to escape when they approached him but he fell to the ground after losing control of his motorcycle.

The suspect then stood up, drew a gun and fired towards the police officers which led to a shootout.

The operatives halted the firing when they saw the victim fall down to the ground.

The suspect fled towards the City of Manila.

The CCPS said the victim who was in the area tried to hide behind an electric post for safety when the incident happened but he still sustained a gunshot wound.

The police were able to confirm that the suspect was involved in a motorcycle robbery incident in the City of Manila.

The victim was rushed by the operatives to a hospital where he was later declared dead.

Authorities recovered in the area nine cartridge cases, two bullets, two metallic jacket fragments and the motorcycle which turned out to be the suspect's stolen vehicle.

Police launched a follow-up operation and backtracking in coordination with the Manila police for the possible identification and arrest of the suspect.

He was seen wearing a black long sleeve shirt, shorts, a black cap, and carrying a slingbag

The incident is still under investigation, police said.