Chinese investigators in Cebu to probe shooting

Two Chinese nationals, a consular officer (L) and her husband (R, with handcuffs), suspects in the shooting of Chinese consul general Song Ronghua at a restaurant, talk to an interpreter (C) at a police station in Cebu City, central Philippines on October 21, 2015. China’s consul general in the Philippines’ second biggest city was wounded and two of his staff members were killed on October 21 during a lunchtime gun attack at a restaurant, police said. AFP FILE PHOTO

CEBU CITY—Investigators and forensic experts from the Ministry of Public Safety of China are in this city to gather data in the shooting of three Chinese diplomats at a local restaurant on Oct. 21.

Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Bañas, director of the Police Regional Office for Central Visayas, said the Chinese team of at least 10 people arrived on Monday. “They are here to gather data to prosecute the case in their country,” he said.

The incident involved the shooting deaths of Deputy Consul Sun Shan and consulate finance officer Hui Li, and the wounding of Consul General Song Ronghua allegedly by Li Qing Liang and his wife, Consul Gou Jing, at Lighthouse Restaurant.

The suspects and victims were in a group of nine Chinese nationals celebrating the birthday of a colleague in the Chinese consulate here.

While the restaurant’s blind singers were singing “Happy Birthday,” an argument reportedly broke out, followed by bursts of gunfire.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed Li approaching Hui and appearing to shoot her and the two others.

He then placed the gun on the table and it was picked up by Gou who was seen on CCTV footage walking out of the restaurant with the gun.

Local police took the couple into custody at the consular office at Cebu Business Park. The Chinese consulate then took over and they were flown to China on Oct. 23 as per the consular agreement on diplomatic immunity.

The bodies of the two consular officials were flown to China the next day. Cebu police refused to give an update on the condition of the consul general.

Bañas said the Chinese investigators visited Lighthouse Restaurant and asked for a copy of the police investigation report and the evidence like the gun used in the shooting.

He said he had informed his superiors about this and they were waiting for an official request from the Chinese investigators before making a decision about the evidence.