MANILA (Philippines) - POLICE say at least 17 people have been killed in a fierce clash between officers and a group of suspected robbers in a Manila suburb.

Metropolitan Manila Police Chief Leopoldo Bataoil said on Saturday that officers were trailing the suspects in two cars when the gunmen sensed the surveillance and fired on the police late on Friday.

Mr Bataoil said the gunmen went berserk, firing at everyone in sight near a residential subdivision in suburban Paranaque city.

Among those killed were 12 members of the gang, a police officer, plus four others nearby, including a man and his daughter who were sitting inside their car. -- AP