Driver of slain Japanese trader now a target?

The driver of the Japanese karaoke bar owner killed in Makati City last Friday was threatened by a group of armed men shortly after midnight yesterday, according to the Makati police.

SPO4 Leonardo Timtiman, officer-in-charge of the homicide division said the incident was reported by a security guard of the Cityland II building along Pasong Tamo, where slain Japanese businessman Tetsuo Momma resided.

Anthony Fernandez, the security guard, told police he saw the vehicle of the Momma being pursued by another vehicle at around 12:05 a.m. He said shots were fired.

The 43-year-old Momma was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman before dawn last Friday in front of the SMAP karaoke bar, which he owns.

Fernandez said he saw Momma’s driver on Momma’s Chevrolet Astro van (JPN-118) approaching the front of the condominium when the front passenger of the other vehicle fired three shots in the air. He said the suspects’ vehicle was an AUV but could not make out the plate number.

The suspect’s vehicle sped toward the South Superhighway after the incident.

Investigators later recovered two empty shells from a 9mm pistol from the scene.

Timtiman said he managed to speak with a man claiming to be the driver of Momma yesterday morning by phone.

The caller, who identified himself as Jerson Mabunga, told Timtiman that he could provide him with the description of the man who shot Momma.

However, Timtiman said he could not be sure if the driver involved in yesterday’s shooting incident was Mabunga.

He said the shooting incident was probably an attempt by the suspects to scare off possible witnesses to the killing of the Japanese. Other witnesses, including guest relations officers who worked at the bar have been invited to provide statements but they have yet to show up. – Marvin Sy