Man to face murder case for death of Japanese

CEBU, Philippines - A case for murder will be filed against the suspect and his cohort who were allegedly responsible in the killing of the Japanese national shortly after midnight last Thursday in Barangay Canagahan, San Remigio.

The case will be filed tomorrow before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor's Office against Ronald "Onat" Tuñacao, 26, who is now detained at the San Remigio stockade.

Tuñacao, neighbor of the victim, 57-year-old Makoto Honda, was arrested last Thursday afternoon during a hot pursuit operation at the house of his relatives in Barangay Libaong.

PO3 Alfredo Mandal, police investigator on case, told The FREEMAN that Tuñacao was positively identified by the live-in partner of Honda, Karen Caballes, 20 and her sister, Ailyn.

Tuñacao denied the allegations. He was once a helper of the couple in their sari-sari store but he was kicked out a couple of months ago, as what Mandal said, because of misunderstanding.

With regards to Tuñacao's cohort, Mandal said they are now investigating to determine his identity.

The police investigator suspected the person could be a relative of Tuñacao who also has a personal grudge towards Honda.

Based on police records, Honda was able to have recorded in the blotter his accusation of physical injuries against Tuñacao just last month after the latter boxed him.

Another incident of harassment against the brother of Tuñacao was also recorded.

However, Honda did not pursue the filing of charges and both suspects were forgiven.

"Wa ko'y gi-disclose nga name kay di pa man gyud mutug-an ang suspect pero pamasin lang na ako base sa mga tao nga nakabangi niya," Mandal said. (The suspect still refuses to identify his accomplice.)

Honda was shot dead last Wednesday shortly after midnight while sleeping inside his house. He succumbed to gunshot wounds in the left part of chest and left side of his body.

Police recovered three empty shells of caliber .45.

Honda's body now lies at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Bogo City for autopsy. — (FREEMAN)