Japanese journalist shot at in 'road rage'

Manila: A Japanese journalist has learned how dangerous a Philippine street can be and how Filipino drivers react to being challenged after escaping a road rage shooting incident.

Initial police report said two men riding motorcycles did not like the way journalist Noshihiko Sakai, 43, overtook them, and gave a chase along side streets in Pasig City, a part of Metro Manila, on Tuesday.

One of them shot at his vehicle when they passed the corner of Reliance and Pioneer Streets, both busy roads even at night.

The report said the bullet hit the back windscreen of Sakai's Isuzu Trooper and passed through the front windshield, just a few inches near his head. The men, who have not been identified, escaped after the incident. Sakai told the police that he was driving on the Philippine capital's main highway, the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) at around 4am when he overtook the two men riding separate motorcycles.

He said that for some unknown reason one of them trailed him and made an unexpected attack when they reached the corner of Reliance and Pioneer streets.

Empty shells

Sakai said he was not able to see the face of the gunman or get the plate numbers of the motorcycles because he had to duck for cover after the shot was fired.

He said the police found empty bullet shells from a .45 pistol in the scene.

Sakai said he believes the incident was not an ambush and he was alone when the attack happened.

The Japanese police will step into the investigation of the attack on Sakai, who works for Daily Manila Shimbun newspaper.

Radio dzBB reported yesterday that the Japanese Embassy has started coordinating with the Pasig City police to explore all possible angles behind the attack.

According to the report, the Japanese police wanted to make sure "motives" other than the "road rage" angle are explored thoroughly.

Many violent incidents have been reported stemming from traffic-related altercations. There is a growing number of attacks and killings of Filipino journalists in the Philippines since 1986 but foreign journalists have been speared so far. The incident is believed to be not related to his work as a journalist but a "road rage" incident.