MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has sought the assistance of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in tracking down a Japanese accused of hiring hitmen to kill two of his compatriots in Manila last week.

“The coordination is already ongoing,” PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said over the weekend, confirming the agency’s request for international cooperation. “We’ll do everything that we have to do so that we can completely give justice to the victim.”

PNP enlists Interpol help in hunt for Japanese mastermind behind Manila double murder, This news data comes from:http://mdn-yo-da-owg.771bg.com

The Manila Police District (MPD) disclosed that one of the suspects admitted they were contracted by a Japan-based individual, identified only as “Boss,” for a fee of ₱9 million to carry out the killings.

Brothers Albert Manabat, 50, and Abel Manabat, 62 were arrested on Monday and charged with murder before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office the following day. A third suspect remains at large, according to the MPD.

The two Japanese victims, aged 41 and 53, were shot dead inside a hotel along Malvar Street in Barangay 699, Malate, on Aug. 15. Investigators said the victims had just arrived in the Philippines that evening and were brought by a Filipino guide from the airport to a Pasay hotel before being taken to Malate.

Maj. Philipp Ines, MPD spokesman, said one of the suspects described the slain Japanese as “pasaway” or hardheaded in relation to their company dealings. He added that the police were still verifying whether the promised payment was actually made.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) condemned the killings, warning that the incident has prompted travel advisories from several foreign embassies and urging authorities to resolve the case swiftly.