Japanese tourist dies of bangungot

A 50-year-old Japanese male tourist, who had recently arrived in the country to visit his Filipina girlfriend, was suspected to have died of "bangungot" (acute pancreatitis) yesterday morning after drinking a heavy mix of beer and gin the previous night in Caloocan City.

Superintendent Dionicio Borromeo, chief of the intelligence and investigation division, identified the victim as Ohashi Sueji, a businessman, and temporarily staying at Phase 4-B Package 7, Block 101, Lot 8 in Barangay Bagong Silang.

Investigation showed the Japanese was found by a Virginia Kante, reportedly a relative of his alleged Pinay girlfriend, Ma. Victoria-Candaza-Fujiwara, in his bedroom at Fujiwara’s house.

According to the police, Sueji was in town for a four-day vacation with Fujiwara. Prior to the discovery, his girlfriend said the victim initially complained of stomach pains whereupon he was given some unnamed medicine. After taking the medicine, the victim felt relieved and decided to drink beer. After downing a bottle of beer, he allegedly asked for a bottle of Gilbey’s Gin and single-handedly finished it before going to bed. — Jerry Botial