Murder charge filed against Manila cop, 4 others over Japanese killing

By Ronron
June 29, 2007

Charges of murder were filed Friday before the prosecutor’s office against a policeman, a retired policeman, and three civilians over the killing last Saturday of a Japanese national in Manila City’s Ermita District.

Chief Inspector Alex Yanquiling, chief of the Manila Police Homicide Section, said the City Prosecutor of Manila immediately ordered the arrest of and recommended no bail for PO2 Raffy Habil, 20, of Manila Police Station 5.

However, the rest – Eduardo Reyes, 59, an ex-cop; Ronald Magtira, 29; Noel Magtira, 27; and, Edgar Crisostomo, 21 - were ordered released for further investigation.

"As to the participation of the other suspects, the undersigned finds the evidence on record INSUFFICIENT to prove CONSPIRACY and therefore, recommends their Release for Further Investigation," reads an order of the city prosecutor.

A sixth suspect, an unidentified Japanese national who is believed to have masterminded the killing, remains at large, Yangquiling said.

Yangquiling said the five identified suspects were implicated by witnesses as those who planned and executed the shooting to death of Kazuyuki Harashina, 34, last June 23 at about 2:15 am.

The real motive is still being investigated, he said./DMS