MANILA, Philippines – The Embassy of Japan expressed deep condolences to the families and loved ones of two Japanese nationals killed during a shooting incident in Malate, City of Manila last Friday, 15 August 2025.
In a statement released on Monday, the Embassy said that it is still “currently coordinating and confirming the details of the incident with the Philippine authorities regarding the incident.”
The Embassy also said that it is providing support to the bereaved family members of the deceased.
The Manila Police District (MPD) confirmed that the victims of the shooting incident were indeed Japanese nationals, who were gunned down by suspects on motorcycle or “riding-in-tandem.”
According to the MPD, the shooting occurred along Malvar Street in Malate, Manila, after the two victims got off a taxi, as seen in a CCTV footage from the barangay.
On Monday, the MPD announced that it has already formed a special task force to focus on the case.
According to the MPD, two persons-of-interest are now in their custody, as well as the getaway vehicle of the suspects, that was retrieved along the corner of Malvar Street and Taft Avenue early Saturday morning.
Reports also mentioned that the suspect of the shooting was “positively identified” by one of the witnesses through the help of CCTV footage.
Witnesses also told authorities that the suspect was seen fleeing the scene of the crime with a bag, believed to belong to one of the victims.
The victims’ nationalities were confirmed after a representative from the Japanese Consulate, accompanied by hotel security, retrieved the passports from the casino-hotel where the victims were reportedly staying in Pasay City.
Meanhwhile, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso commended the MPD and the Special Investigation Task Group MALVAR (SITG MALVAR) “for this major step toward bringing to justice” the perpetrators behind the killings.
“As a global city with deep ties to Japan and the Japanese community, the City of Manila stands in solidarity with the victims’ families and remains resolute in ensuring that justice is served,” Domagoso said in a statement.
“We will continue to work closely with the PNP and other concerned agencies to bring the full force of the law against those responsible and to safeguard the peace and order that all residents and visitors of Manila rightfully deserve,” Mayor Domagoso emphasized.
