2 more suspects in slay of Japanese tourist fall

Operatives of the Western Police District arrested the other day two more suspects in the robbery and murder of a Japanese tourist.

The suspects were identified as Venus Ragasi, 21, of Panabo Wharf, Davao City; and Santiago Estrella.

Ragasi, a self-confessed commercial sex worker, told police investigators that she was hired by Ruben de Guzman, another suspect who was earlier arrested by police, to allegedly take the victim, Keichi Wada, on a boat ride in Manila Bay last June 1.

Ragasi added that De Guzman promised to pay her P1,100 in exchange for the boat ride and have sex with victim at the Diamond Hotel along Roxas Boulevard later.

But according to Ragasi, she was surprised when during the boat ride, Estrella suddenly grabbed Wada’s arms and held him. Another man in the boat, whom Ragasi failed to recognize, was the one who allegedly stabbed the tourist several times in the body.

Police said that Wada’s camera was recovered from Ragasi who planned to sell it.

Police arrested last Friday De Guzman, 27; Ariel "Sugar" Santos, 29; and Luisito Vergara, 29, residents of Makati City. They are now facing murder charges in the Manila Regional Trial Court. Police are still investigating Ragasi and Estrella who will also be charged as accomplices in the crime.

Wada, 40, a retired postal worker from Ashikaga City, was fished out of Manila Bay in the early morning of June 1. His body bore four deep stab wounds. Police said he arrived in the Philippines last May 29 for a vacation. – Mike Frialde