Two masked and armed men wearing motorcycle helmets robbed eight customers, including one Japanese, at a Japanese restaurant in Makati Sunday night, police said.

The alleged robbery happened at 6:35 pm at a restaurant along Antonio Arnaiz, police said.

''This is not the typical demeanor of a robbery-holdup...because when they got the cellphones, they returned these without any fuss,'' said acting Makati Police chief Col. Jean dela Torre in a TV interview.

According to the statement of the witnesses, the target of the suspects was only Chinese citizens. The suspects, wearing black and a Joyride uniform, raised their guns before stealing eight phones from eight customers and the wallet of a 62-year-old Japanese.

After being told by the restaurant's staff that they were doing something unlawful, the suspects gave back the phones of the customers, except the wallet of the Japanese national, an affidavit of a witness said.

Despite being urged by the Makati Police, the Japanese victim instead filed an affidavit of disinterest to file a case as he had a flight to Japan scheduled at 7 am on Monday.

In coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Makati police said they have a person of interest as the backtracking on the CCTV showed the plate of the black vehicle of the suspects as they left the restaurant.

Makati police sent a letter to Joy Ride, regarding the alleged involvement of a rider in the incident.

Robberies, which appear to target Japanese, have been reported in Makati since October 2024. Kate Christian Ravelo/DMS