Razon tasks CIDG to take over Akiyoshi killing case in Pampanga

By Ronron
October 18, 2007

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. on Thursday tasked the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to take over the investigation of the Akiyoshi killing case in Angeles City, Pampanga last July after the local police failed to make any progress in its probe.

Razon issued the order after meeting some Japanese guests at his office yesterday afternoon at Camp Crame, Quezon City who have expressed concern over the stalling of the case investigation.

“The CIDG will be taking the lead role (in the investigation),” Razon said.

Reisuke Akiyoshi, an engineer working for a Japanese funded project in Central Luzon, was found dead inside his rented apartment in Angeles City last July.

SPO2 Dickson Tolentino, officer-on-case from the Angeles City Police Station 4, told Manila Shimbun yesterday that there is no development in their investigation due to lack of witnesses.

“Up to now, we have no lead as to the motive and the suspect because there are no witnesses… The wife and co-workers of Akiyoshi could not also say who could have the motive to carry out the crime,” Tolentino said in Filipino in a phone interview.

He said that they thought they would already pin down a relative of Akiyoshi’s wife, but no one would officially make a statement against that person.

During Razon’s meeting with the Japanese guests, CIDG chief Director Edgardo Doromal, who was present in the meeting, called up CIDG Region III Director Sr. Supt. Guillermo Eleazar and directed him to take over the investigation of the case from the Angeles City Police.

Doromal said he directed Eleazar to create a “dedicated team” for the investigation of the case.

Asked on how important it is for the police to solve the Akiyoshi killing, Razon said: “It is very important because we want our locators, Japanese investors to feel safe so their business will prosper and continue. If it is not solved, it will affect the feeling of security of the Japanese investors in the Philippines.”

But Doromal said it is hard to set a deadline for the local CIDG to solve the particular case.

“If we don’t have witnesses, we can’t identify the suspects. That’s why we are trying to maintain good relationship with our community so that other witnesses will come out,” he said.

Tolentino said even if they have all the technical evidence like fingerprints lifted from the crime scene, it will really be difficult to solve the case unless there is a witness./DMS