By Robina Asido

Manila police arrested two persons, one of whom is believed to be the gunman, in the shooting of two Japanese in Malate last Friday, a spokesman from Manila Police District (MPD) said on Monday.

Maj. Philipp Ines said the other person was the tour guide. Both of them were placed under police custody on Monday morning. ''The suspects will be subjected to inquest proceedings tomorrow,'' added Ines.

"Through meticulous backtracking and verification of events, including the retrieval of critical CCTV footage, we have been able to establish the movements of the suspects prior to and after the incident," he said.

An MPD statement said the gunman "was seen frequenting key locations along Pedro Gil St. and was captured on camera removing his face mask" which revealed his identity.

"An alleged tour guide, was traced through multiple CCTV recordings across different areas including Adriatico St., and Pasay City, helping investigators to track his movements following the incident," it added.

"Coordinated efforts with hotel administration led to a positive identification of the tour guide via government-issued identification," it stated.

Ines said the shootinghappened along Malvar street, near the corner of Mabini street, fronting Sheraton Hotel in Barangay 699, Zone 74, Malate at 10:45 pm.

An alleged video of the incident circulating in social media shows that the two Japanese victims were shot by a gunman upon alighting a taxicab. After killing the victims the other suspect took the belongings of the victim then boarded a motorcycle driven by the gunman from the scene of the crime.

The identity of the victims was not yet revealed but Ines said the two Japanese nationals were staying at the Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.

Following the incident the MPD immediately created a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) named "Malvar" to focus on the investigation of the incident.

The MPD also reported that the motorcycle which was used as a getaway vehicle of the suspects was left by the suspects along Malvar street, corner Taft Avenue in Malate. It was retrieved by the personnel of Ermita Police Station around 10:12 am last Saturday.

It said the taxicab ridden by the victims before they were shot was identified by the investigators.

"The MPD Command and SITG Malvar remain fully committed to pursuing all leads and ensuring that all persons of interest are held accountable. We reaffirm our dedication to delivering justice for the victims while safeguarding the integrity of the ongoing investigation," it stated.

Following the shooting incident, Brig. Gen. Arnold Abad, MPD acting district director vows to intensify efforts in protecting communities in the city.

"The timely resolution and relentless efforts dedicated to this case reflect our unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and order in Manila. We will continue to intensify our initiatives to safeguard our communities from all forms of criminality. Those who threaten the safety of the innocent can no longer find refuge in our city ? justice will always prevail," he said.

In a statement, Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso commended "the Manila Police District (MPD) and the Special Investigation Task Group Malvar for this major step toward bringing to justice the perpetrators behind the barbaric killing of two Japanese nationals in the City of Manila."

"As a global city with deep ties to Japan and the Japanese community, the City of Manila stands in solidarity with the victims’ families and remains resolute in ensuring that justice is served," he said.

"We will continue to work closely with the PNP and other concerned agencies to bring the full force of the law against those responsible and to safeguard the peace and order that all residents and visitors of Manila rightfully deserve", he added. DMS