Tadao Hayashi’s killer a call boy?

Police investigators yesterday hinted that a "call boy" or a male prostitute could be the culprit in the murder of internationally-acclaimed Japanese harpist Tadao Hayashi whose body was found in his Caloocan City house Monday.

Sources at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame and at the Caloocan City police station revealed that probers have identified the principal suspect in the case and his arrest is expected soon.

In Camp Crame, Chief Superintendent Nestorio Gualberto, director of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said Hayashi’s killer may have fled to Mindoro but refused to identify the suspect pending his arrest.

"Apparently there was a first and second person involved in Hayashi’s love life and this must have triggered an intense jealousy between his two lovers," said Gualberto, saying that a love triangle could be behind the killing.

But Caloocan City police Station Intelligence and Investigation Division (SIID) chief Superintendent Dionicio Borromeo said investigators believe Hayashi’s killer was a known "opportunist" who often victimizes homosexuals.

Borromeo said that Hayashi and the suspect had known each other for "sometime" now and was introduced to each other by a mutual friend. Witnesses said that the suspect was often seen in Hayashi’s house doing household chores.

"The suspect may have been demanding something from Hayashi which the victim could not give. This may have angered the suspect and led him to kill Hayashi," Borromeo told reporters.

Querol described the killer to be a mestizo, between 21-23 years old, married but separated, who worked as a masseur.

Northern Police District (NPD) director Senior Superintendent Vidal Querol announced yesterday the formation of Task Force Tadao to hasten the investigation of the case.

Caloocan chief of police Superintendent Benjardi Mantele was designated the task force commander.

However, Querol said he did not set a specific deadline for the police to solve the slay. "I would not like to set a timetable because it might jeopardize the quality of the investigation," Querol said.

Earlier, investigators said Hayashi may have known the killer as indicated by two used drinking glasses left on the table.

Witnesses told police that they saw an unidentified man arrive at Hayashi’s house at around 6 p.m. last Sunday. Hayashi’s body was discovered by his personal assistant, Antonio Clet, at 6 a.m. the following day.

Borromeo said the suspect yesterday called the Caloocan police and said he would surrender to authorities. As of press time, however, police are still waiting at Station 1 in the Bukid Area.

Hayashi’s family went to Caloocan officer-in-charge Reynaldo Malonzo and made a courtesy call yesterday at the North City Hall in Camarin. According to reports, Hayashi’s body will be cremated at the Manila Memorial Park.

Malonzo has offered a P100,000 bounty for anyone who could lead authorities to the suspect’s whereabouts. The Japanese embassy through Vice Consul Schinichi Nara has also offered a P100,000 reward.