Suspect in Slaying of 2 Japanese Nationals Nabbed

Security camera footage shows the moment two Japanese nationals were shot and killed by motorcycle-riding assailants on Malvar Street, Malate, Manila, on Friday night, August 15

Suspect in Slaying of 2 Japanese Nationals Nabbed

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | August 19, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – The Manila Police District (MPD) has arrested one of the suspects in the killing of two Japanese nationals in Malate, Manila, on Friday night (Aug. 15, 2025).

The arrest followed a review of CCTV footage and the identification of persons of interest.

Police announced the arrest through the Special Investigation Task Group MALVAR (SITG MALVAR), which was activated to investigate the crime.

“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,” the MPD said.

Investigators identified the gunman, who was often seen in the Pedro Gil Street area, after he removed his facemask on camera.

A second suspect, believed to be a tour guide, was located through multiple CCTV recordings in areas such as the Sheraton Hotel and Adriatico Street in Manila and Pasay City.

Coordinated efforts with hotel administration proved crucial in identifying the tour guide, whose name was confirmed through a government-issued identification card.

Authorities are currently pursuing the arrest of the other suspect.

While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary findings suggest that robbery may have been a secondary motive in the killing.

The SITG MALVAR team is working closely with the Japanese Embassy and the victims’ families.

The victims, initially misidentified as Koreans, were fatally shot around 10:45 p.m. on Aug. 15 along Malvar Street near Mabini Street in Malate.

Barangay CCTV footage captured the victims exiting a taxi when they were accosted by two men on a motorcycle.

The suspects allegedly robbed the victims, then shot them before fleeing the scene.

Immediately following the incident, the MPD launched a thorough investigation and reactivated the SITG MALVAR to ensure justice for the victims.

The getaway vehicle used by the suspects was recovered the following day (Aug. 16) at 10:12 a.m. by MPD-Malate Police Station 9 operatives at the corner of Malvar Street and Taft Avenue in Malate, Manila.