5 men nabbed in murder of Japanese

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Police have arrested five persons, including  a woman for the murder of a Japanese man in Cavite last Dec. 29.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Samuel Pagdilao said Merlinda Soria, wife of the victim Hideo Niikura, 61; her son Mark Anthony Soria; Gabriel Soria; Gil Brown Ilag and the alleged gunman, Arnold Marcos, were arrested in separate operations in Barangays Sto. Niño and Poblacion in Dasmariñas City.

The CIDG said two .45 caliber pistols were seized from the suspects.

Initial investigation showed that Merlinda allegedly had her husband murdered over money and physical abuse.

Mark Anthony allegedly hired Marcos to kill Niikura for P100,000. – Ed Amoroso, Mike Frialde