Manila  - Three suspected robbers were killed in a shootout with police officers shortly after an eatery was robbed in the Philippines, a provincial police chief said Thursday.

The shootout erupted late Wednesday in San Rafael town in Bulacan province, just north of Manila, said Superintendent Rodolfo Hernandez, the provincial police chief.

Hernandez said the suspects' vehicle was spotted when it made a sudden turn to avoid a checkpoint set up by police officers who had received a complaint about the robbery.

Police quickly dispatched a team to pursue the suspects, who did not surrender and instead fired at the officers, he said.

Three handguns, assorted ammunition and a sachet of illegal drugs were recovered from the suspects' vehicle. Police also found cash and personal items taken from the eatery.

Deadly shootouts between police and suspects are rampant in the Philippines.

Some families of suspects slain in recent shootouts have questioned the legality of the police operations and have accused police officers of executing their relatives. (dpa)