Chinese national shot dead, companion wounded by compatriots in Makati

MANILA, Philippines — A 33-year-old Chinese national was killed while his female companion was wounded by their countrymen in a restaurant in Makati City on Thursday night, Makati police said Friday.

Maj. Gideon Ines Jr., Makati City police investigation division chief, identified the fatality as Yin Jian Tao. His companion was identified as Zheng Kai, 25.

The Makati City police said it received a call regarding a shooting incident inside the establishment in Barangay Bel-Air at around 10 p.m.

Responding police officers found Yin already dead while Zheng was rushed to Makati Medical Center.

Employees of the restaurant told police that the Chinese couple along with three other Chinese men were having dinner inside the VIP room when Zheng was heard screaming.

Zheng was later seen by restaurant employees with bloodied and with gunshot wounds.

The victim’s three companions tried to flee on foot, but two of them were foiled by security guards and security officers of  Barangay Bel-Air.

One of the suspects was identified as Yang Chao Wen, 32.

In a phone interview with INQUIRER.net, Makati City police chief Col. Rogelio Simon said the second suspect, who is still unidentified, also sustained a gunshot wound and was brought to Ospital ng Makati for treatment.

Recovered from the two suspects were two firearms while police retrieved two empty shells and two live ammunition from a cal. 45 firearm and a bag with P345,000 cash.

The arrested suspects were turned over to the Makati City police while appropriate charges are being prepared against them.

‘Money for visa’

Simon said Yang wanted to exchange local currency with the victim to be able to return to mainland China after the former’s tourist visa expired last February 8.

Yang met with Yin at the airport and later at the restaurant where the victim agreed to hand over P345,000 cash to Yin in exchange for 10,000 Yuan.

Investigation showed that Yang did not have 10,000 Chinese Yuan and instead shot the victim and snatched his bag of cash.

Simon said they are coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration to verify the status of the Chinese suspects.

The Makati police chief said they are also conducting follow-up operations to track down the third suspect.

GSG