Japanese tourists survive gun attack

A group of unidentified men armed with pistols and M16 Armalite rifles shot at a van carrying four Japanese tourists in Malate, Manila early yesterday morning after allegedly failing to rob them.

Police identified three of the victims as Takauchi Akira, 39; Takashima Yoshido, 43; and Yoshida Herikazu, 40, all temporary residents of West Gate Condominium, Dela Costa Street, Makati City. The fourth victim, who remained unidentified, was brought to a hospital shortly after the incident.

Investigators said the four Japanese and their two Filipino guides, Fernando Samparado, 36, of Puerto Rico St., Makati City; and Norlyn Diaz Tandagen, 32, of Golden Gate Subdivision, Las Piñas were driving at about 1:10 a.m. from the Grand Boulevard Hotel casino aboard a white Ford Expedition with plate number WPX-236.

When they reached San Andres Street, the six gunmen, aboard a black box-type Mitsubishi Lancer with no license plates, appeared and began tailing them.

Police said the gunmen then closed-in and opened fire at the victims’ van. A chase then ensued which ended at Adriatico Street when the van crashed onto a tree.

The gunmen then alighted from their car and tried to force open the van’s doors. The men only stopped and fled after a police prowl car appeared at the scene.

Elements of the prowl car recovered a caliber .45 pistol left at the scene by the gunmen as well as various spent shells.

Meanwhile, two Chinese nationals were arrested by elements of the Western Police District yesterday morning in Bulacan for their alleged involvement in the theft of Hanabishi gas stoves and spare parts worth some P2 million.

Those arrested were identified as Jimmy Chua, alias Jaime King, 25, of Gandara, Binondo, Manila; and Henry Lu, alias Lo Kung Bing, 30, of 710 Asuncion Street, Binondo, Manila.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Malolos, Bulacan Judge Alexander Tamayo, police raided a warehouse along DRT Highway, Barrio Makinabang, Baliuag, Bulacan and arrested the suspects. —— Mike Frialde