Japanese probers to help solve killing of Kusaka

Japanese investigators are set to arrive in Cebu to help the local police solve the ambush-slay of a Japanese businessman last month in Mandaue City.

Sr. Supt. Jose Jorge Corpus, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7, told reporters yesterday that the Japanese police will be sending in their investigators to help in the investigation into the killing of Hiroshi Kusaka.

Kusaka was riding his van on his way to the Mactan Cebu International Airport to catch a flight for Tokyo last November 13 when being ambushed by two unidentified motorcycle-riding men at the corner of G. Ouano Street and Plaridel Street in Mandaue City.

Kusaka, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was declared dead on arrival at the Mandaue City District Hospital. But his driver, Efren Rosales, survived the ambush unscathed.

Investigators from the Mandaue City Police Office headed by Sr. Supt. Rodel Calungsod are now looking into business rivalry and personal grudges as possible angles in the killing of Kusaka.

Calungsod told reporters yesterday that they are closely coordinating with the CIDG to identify the gunmen and establish the motive of the killing.

For his part, Corpus said the Japanese investigators are helping them investigate the case because one of the possible suspects is a Japanese national.

Corpus also said there might be people in Japan who are interested in the death insurance of Kusaka. He said in Japan, one can have other man insured.

Investigators have earlier said that prior to his killing, Kusaka was looking for another Japanese national who owed him P20 million. The Japanese national is said to be Kusaka’s former driver in Japan.

Kusaka owns a travel agency and has a dried mango business in Cebu. He also has businesses in other Asian countries. — Edwin Ian Melecio/LPM