Taiwan urges vigilance after 2 Japanese tourists shot dead in Manila

Manila, Aug. 18 (CNA) Taiwan's representative office in the Philippines on Monday reminded Taiwanese travelers to avoid high-risk areas and refrain from displaying valuables, after Japan's embassy in Manila confirmed that two Japanese tourists were shot dead in a robbery in the city.

Wallace Chow (周民淦), head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, urged Taiwanese traveling or doing business in the country to stay alert and avoid unstable or dangerous areas.

The victims were attacked at around 10:40 p.m. Friday after exiting a taxi in the Malate district, when a Filipino gunman opened fire and an accomplice seized their belongings before fleeing, the Japanese embassy said in a notice released earlier Monday.

It said Philippine authorities are investigating the motive and circumstances of the incident, and urged Japanese residents, tourists and business travelers to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

Malate is well-known for its vibrant and lively nightlife, offering a wide array of bars, clubs and karaoke establishments.

Philippine media reported the victims were in their 20s to 30s, with one bearing a dragon tattoo on his back. A Filipino guide accompanying them has been taken in for questioning.

The Philippine government on July 1 began allowing Taiwan passport holders visa-free entry for up to 14 days for tourism purposes. Some Taiwanese businesspeople expressed concern the killings could discourage Taiwanese from visiting the country.

After the incident, Lin Teng-feng (林登峰), president of the Taiwan Association Inc. Philippines, an organization that assists Taiwanese business owners in the country, advised Taiwanese visitors to avoid unsafe districts. He also suggested that they refrain from traveling alone.