By Robina Asido

Manila police revealed the involvement of at least six other suspects in the killing of two Japanese nationals in Malate last August 15.

In a press briefing at the Manila Police Station 5 on Thursday, Station Commander Lt. Col. Alfonso Saligumba III said aside from the suspect who took the bag of one of the victims, the other suspects who remain at large include the person who planned the killing and the "contractor" who paid one million pesos as down payment for the execution.

"(That is the contract price (one million pesos). The initial payment they received was one million. I don't know how much each of them have received from that. So initially according to Abel (one of the suspects), he got 10,000 (from one million)," he said.

Saligumba noted that there is a possibility that the planner of the crime is in the Philippines but he noted that the location of the contractor is still subject of an ongoing investigation.

He said the investigation shows that the planning for the shooting of the victims started since their last visit in the country one or two months ago.

In a message to the Daily Manila Shimbun, Maj. Philipp Ines, Manila Police District (MPD) spokesman confirmed that the name of the suspect who allegedly ordered the assasination of the Japanese victims were coordinated with Japan authorities.

Saligumba said that based on the record of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) the two Japanese victims identified as Hideaki Satori, 53, and Akinobu Nakayama, 41, were tourists.

He mentioned that according to their coordination with the BI and Interpol, the victims are not part of the list of wanted foreign fugitives.

However, he noted that based on back channeling with their police counterparts in Japan, Satori has a record of gambling cases in their country.

Saligumba said the possible motive behind the killing is due to conflict over money related to their business which he described as "illegal".

"Yes, there is illegality. Actually, during the search for their belongings one of the Japanese nationals has 40 million yen in his bank account (in Japan)," he said.

When asked if it is true that the victims are members of the notorious JP Dragon syndicate, Saligumba said that it is "only a rumor" which is "not verified".

"Our investigation is still ongoing. And hopefully, there will be a clear manifestation of what really happened or what really is their motives," he said.

Saligumba said the operation to arrest the other suspects involved in the killing of the two Japanese tourists is still ongoing.

The two major suspects in the crime identified as brothers Abel and Albert Manabat who were arrested in their homes in Pampanga last August 18 remain under the custody of the Manila Police District.

They underwent inquest proceedings at the City Prosecutors Office last August 19. DMS