Three suspected car thieves were killed in a police operation along EDSA in Quezon City Tuesday night.

ABS-CBN News was able to capture on video the final minutes of the operation, which authorities said began in Mandaluyong City when police spotted and pursued a vehicle reported stolen last month.

Police claimed the suspects opened fire on them forcing them to fire back.

But the footage captured by ABS-CBN shows several policemen firing their weapons inside the suspects' car at close range.

The footage was shown to Human Rights Commissioner Leila de Lima, who said the police violated rules of engagement.

"Jesus Christ!...This is very disturbing and highly questionable in our viewpoint," de Lima said after seeing the footage.

"This is potentially a case of excessive and blatant violation of operational guidelines," she added. "Ano na nangyari sa mga human rights education and training namin all these years for the PNP?"

As of posting, Quezon City police district deputy director for operations Federico Lasiste said they have yet to see the footage.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said it will take several weeks for forensic investigations to be completed, but he stressed it was a legitimate encounter.

Meanwhile, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) will investigate last night's shootout amid allegations it was a rubout.

"Hindi dapat na mangyari na ang mga tao na nakasakay sa isang kotse, kung yan man ay nanlalaban o ano man ay papuputukan ng point blank na ang ibig sabihin ay hindi lumalaban yung mga nasa loob," said Eduardo Escueta, vice-chairman of the NAPOLCOM, after seeing the footage. 

"Hindi maganda ang ating nakita diyan at umpisa pa lang ay maari nating sabihin na hindi ito dapat ginawa ng police officer," he said.