Japanese bar owner shot dead

A Japanese businessman was shot to death outside his videoke bar in Makati City before dawn yesterday.

The victim was identified as Tetsuo Momma, 43, a resident of the Cityland II Building along Pasong Tamo, Makati City. He died from three bullet wounds while being treated at the Makati Medical Center at around 2:45 a.m.

SPO4 Leonardo Timtiman of the Makati City police homicide division, said the incident took place at around 2 a.m. in front of the SMAP Videoke Bar located along Pasong Tamo near the Makati Cinema Square.

Marjoy Ricarte, a guest relations officer at the bar, said Momma was about to board his Mitsubishi Pajero when a man approached him from behind.

The suspect was two feet behind Momma when he pulled out a caliber .45 pistol and fired three shots at the bar owner, she said.

Before fleeing, the gunman also shot and wounded security guard Cesar Tajonera, 40, of Tambo, Parañaque City.

The suspect, described as around 35 to 40 years old and 5’7 in height, casually walked away from the scene in the direction of Amorsolo Street. Witnesses claimed they saw the suspect board a vehicle waiting for him.

The security guard sustained a bullet wound in his left leg and was treated at the Makati Medical Center. Momma, on the other hand, was rushed to the emergency room of the same hospital but died less than an hour later.

The Makati City police follow-up division is currently investigating the incident to determine the motive for the crime.

Timtiman said that it was possible the victim had business rivals who might have been behind the killing.

The victim, said to be a widower from Yokohama, left behind a 23-year-old live-in partner who is four months pregnant with his child.