By Robina Asido

One of the masterminds in the killing of the two Japanese nationals in Malate last Friday is from Japan, a police officer revealed following inquest at the Manila Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday.

In a press conference, Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso, identified the Japanese victims as Hideaki Satori, 53, and Akinobu Nakayama, 41. The mayor named the suspects as Abel Manabat 62, identified as the tour guide of the victims and his brother Albert Manabat, 50.

The suspects were arrested in Pampanga on Monday morning.

Lt Col. Alfonso Saligumba III, commander of Manila Police Station 5 ,said based on the statement of Abel, one of those who ordered the assassination is his friend. He said Abel previously worked as a driver for the mastermind who previously visited the country.

"One of the those who ordered (the assassination) is his friend, He worked as driver for that person before. From that, the mastermind offered the sum of nine million pesos to kill the victims," he said.

"Initially Abel looked for cohorts and it included his brother Albert Manabat and another unidentified person who took the belongings of the Japanese victims," he added.

When asked how much of the money the suspect already received from the mastermind, Saligumba said the suspect claimed that they only got an initial payment of P10,000.

Saligumba said the mastermind from Japan instructed Abel to pick up the Japanese victims who arrived in the country last August 14. Investigation also showed that the victims frequently visited the country to play in casinos.

"Initial investigation disclosed, the Japanese nationals (victims) are coming in the Philippines and then the contact of our suspect is in Japan also," he said.

When asked if the mastermind is a Japanese national, Saligumba said "yes". He stressed that the mastermind instructed to pick up the victims and "planned out for the execution of these two Japanese nationals."

"Initial investigation disclosed also that before the arrival of the foreign nationals in the Philippines the group of the suspects are already conducting casing surveillance, they were looking for a spot where they can execute the assassination," he added.

Saligumba did not disclose details about the Japanese mastermind but he noted that initial investigation also shows that the possible motive behind the killing was conflict over money.

During inquest, police filed "murder and theft" charges against the suspects before the City Prosecutors office.

Domagoso said one more suspect is still at large and is subject of ongoing operations by Manila police.

"It's just a question of time", he said when asked about the effort to apprehend remaining suspect.

Domagoso also expressed sympathy to the families of the victims as he assured that the local government of Manila will ensure that justice will be served.

"We make sure justice will be served, we are certain our commitment to the people of Manila, when you do your crime here in Manila we will find you anywhere," he said. DMS