Julia Christine Botin

MPD holding 2 persons of interest after fatal shooting of Japanese nationals

Article (news)

Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The Manila Police District (MPD) confirmed on Monday that they are now holding two persons of interest following the fatal shooting of two Japanese nationals in Malate, Manila on Friday evening.</p><p>The identities of the two individuals have not yet been disclosed as the investigation is ongoing. </p><p>The victims, both Japanese nationals, were billeted at a casino hotel in Pasay City, according to MPD. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/18/doj-endorses-undersecretary-as-acting-nbi-director-following-santiago-s-resignation-1337">READ: Two Japanese nationals killed in Malate shooting incident</a></div><p>The Consular representative of Japan, accompanied by the Chief of the Security Section and the hotel’s security personnel, proceeded to the victims&#x27; respective rooms to retrieve their passports for identification and verification purposes, the MPD added. </p><p>Meanwhile, the police recovered the getaway vehicle of the suspects abandoned at the corner of Malvar Street and Taft Avenue on Saturday morning, August 16. </p><p>Authorities also made a breakthrough in the ongoing investigation through recovered CCTV footage. </p><p>At midnight on August 17, the CCTV video showed the suspect purchasing a cigarette from a street vendor, during which he briefly pulled down his mask, revealing his face. </p><p>The MPD added that a witness has come forward and has executed a sworn affidavit, positively identifying one of the suspects through photographs shown during the investigation. </p><p>The same individual was identified as the one who fatally shot the victims.</p><p>According to the witness, the suspect was seen shouting &quot;Walang makikialam&quot; (&quot;No one interfere&quot;) at nearby bystanders moments after the gunshots rang out.</p><p>A Special Investigation Task Group dubbed SITG &quot;Malvar&quot; has also been activated to focus on the case. </p><p>Earlier, the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines expressed its condolences to the families of the two Japanese nationals killed.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FcLjy7LUOQw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Manila Police District (MPD) confirmed on Monday that they are now holding two persons of interest following the fatal shooting of two Japanese nationals in Malate, Manila on Friday evening.</p>

The Manila Police District (MPD) confirmed on Monday that they are now holding two persons of interest following the fatal shooting of two Japanese nationals in Malate, Manila on Friday evening.