Philippine police have detained two men, arresting one of them, in connection with the shooting deaths of two Japanese nationals in Manila’s Malate entertainment district. Authorities say the victims, a 41-year-old from Shizuoka Prefecture and a 53-year-old from Fukuoka, were forced out of a taxi at about 10:40 p.m. on 15 August before being shot at close range. Their bags were stolen and the assailants fled on a motorbike that was later recovered roughly 600 metres from the scene. Security-camera footage helped investigators identify the suspects; one is reported to work as a travel guide and is believed to have shared the taxi with the victims. Police also recovered spent shell casings at the site. The case is being treated as a robbery-homicide, and investigators are analysing additional CCTV images taken after the attack that show one suspect buying cigarettes. The Japanese Embassy has asked the Philippine government to strengthen measures to protect foreign visitors and residents, noting a string of roughly 20 robberies targeting Japanese nationals in the capital since October last year. The embassy continues to urge Japanese citizens to avoid walking at night and to refrain from resisting if confronted.