Manila: A fierce shootout between police and a gang of robbers in a Manila suburb on Saturday left at least 16 people dead.

Officers were following suspected members of a robbery gang when the gunmen sensed the surveillance and opened fire, triggering the gunfight late on Friday in Paranaque city.

Manila police chief Leopoldo Bataoil said the gunmen, some armed with M-16 rifles fitted with grenade launchers fired at everyone in sight.

"When they found out they were being trailed ... they went berserk," he said. "They fired all around, including at a flammable tanker beside a warehouse."

Among those killed were 10 suspected members of the gang and a police officer and a security guard.

Four people nearby, including a man and his 7-year-old daughter who were sitting inside their car, were also killed.