MANILA - Three people were killed and five others injured, including a police officer, after a man drove off with a police patrol car and plowed into pedestrians in Rizal province, east of Manila, on Thursday morning, local police said.

READ MORE: Earthquake of magnitude 6.7 strikes Mindanao, Philippines, GFZ says

In a report, police said the incident, which happened around 11:45 am local time in Morong town, involved a man with mental illness who was undergoing treatment in the town's facility.

READ MORE: Philippine police identifies suspects in kidnap-murder case

The suspect stole the parked police patrol car and drove off.

Police said their operatives immediately responded to try to gain control of the stolen vehicle. However, the man managed to speed off, hit a roadside post, and crashed into pedestrians. Police detained the suspect.

READ MORE: ADB: Developing countries in Asia-Pacific still report high TB incidence rate

It was not clear if police will slap charges against the suspect, given his mental condition.