Authorities are hunting down eight suspects involved in a gunfight with security guards of a coffee shop in Angono, Rizal, in connection with an alleged robbery with attempted homicide.

Based on the initial investigation of the Rizal Police Provincial Office (Rizal PPO), the victims, including four security guards and a service crew of the shop, were manning their respective posts when the group of suspects arrived at around 12:05 a.m. on Saturday, April 4.

The suspects, reportedly armed with jungle bolos, knives, and an unknown caliber of firearms, suddenly attacked the victims.

Authorities said the suspects forcibly took the issued firearm of a security guard and the personal belongings of the service crew. They added that the suspects also attempted to take control of the establishment.

This prompted the three other security guards to confront the suspects, however, it resulted in an exchange of gunfire between the two parties.

“The victims firmly held their ground until the suspects fled towards the direction of Botong Francisco Avenue,” authorities said.

The Rizal PPO said the incident may have stemmed from a land dispute between the shop owners and the developer of the subdivision where the shop is located.

The victims identified the suspects as alleged personal security personnel of the subdivision’s developer, saying they had previously encountered them.

Meanwhile, no casualties or injuries were reported on both sides during the gunfight.

Recovered at the scene were three fired 12-gauge shotgun cartridge cases, a deformed .45-caliber bullet, one Pardus PS pump-action 12-gauge shotgun, and two Armscor 12-gauge shotguns.

The investigation and intelligence personnel of the Angono MPS are conducting follow-up operations to locate the suspects, while authorities continue to investigate the incident.