Police charges killers of Japanese businessman in Cebu

By Ronron
January 24, 2008

Police on Thursday charged eight persons for the killing of a Japanese businessman in Cebu last July 2007.

Charged with murder for the death of Taro Suda last July 28, 2007 in Mandaue City are the following: Aristotle Aves, Jesus Singson, Jr., Cyron Pineda, Jose Mari Temblon alias Otik, Brandon Ramirez, an unidentified taxi driver, and two other John Does.

Region VII Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Sr. Supt. Jose Jorge Corpuz said the case was filed yesterday afternoon by his office at the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office.

He said their strongest evidence, aside from the pieces of physical evidence recovered like the weapon and motorcycle used, is the extra-judicial confession of Singson executed last December 5.

Singson had admitted being part of the group who killed Suda in exchange for a P10,000-fee.

In his statement, Singson said he served as lookout to Aves and Ramirez who actually shot Suda several times until he died.

Singson remains detained at Corpuz’ office located at Camp Sotero Cabahug in Cebu City, while Aves and Temblon are now detained at Mandaue City Jail, Corpuz said.

Aves, Singson and Temblon are already facing charges for possession of illegal drugs (shabu) and unlicensed firearm.

Pineda and Ramirez, on the other hand, remain at-large. Corpuz said Pineda is now working in Riyadh.

Corpuz said one of the two John Does they included in the case is actually the mastermind of the incident.

“We already have the identity of the mastermind and we have already filed an arrest warrant against him. If we get him, then we can disclose his identity,” Corpuz said.

He said “the brain is still here” in Cebu.

Asked if the mastermind is a Japanese national or a Filipino, Corpuz just said: “He is related to the victim.”

He disclosed that the motive in the killing involves monetary issues, which he cannot expound yet before the media pending the conduct of further investigation./DMS