2 diplomats flown to China – DFA

MANILA, Philippines – Two Chinese diplomats have been flown to China to stand trial for a gun attack that killed two of their colleagues and wounded another, authorities said yesterday.

China’s consul general in Cebu survived being shot in the neck, but two of his staff members died during the lunchtime attack at a restaurant on Wednesday.

“They (the suspects) already left last night, direct flight from Cebu to Xiamen,” foreign ministry spokesman Charles Jose told AFP in a text message.

“Yes, they will be prosecuted in China,” he added.

The motive for the gun attack was not known, and the positions held by the  two suspects at the consulate remained unclear.

The Chinese foreign ministry has given little information about the attack.

Chinese embassy spokeswoman Li Lingxiao told AFP she had no comment to make on the Filipino government’s announcement over the transfer of custody.

Staff at the upmarket Cebu restaurant earlier said the victims and suspects were among nine Chinese diners who had gathered to celebrate the birthday of the consul general, Song Ronghua.

The Chinese embassy in Manila later described the couple as accredited Chinese diplomats and invoked diplomatic immunity, Jose has said.

The Cebu provincial police chief, Supt. Tom Bañas, told AFP police

handed the suspects over to the Filipino foreign ministry on Friday night.

“I was informed they have already been flown out to China,” Banas added.