China to try couple linked to killing of diplomats in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - A Chinese consular officer and her husband, who allegedly killed two other Chinese diplomats and wounded their consul-general in a Philippines restaurant, have been taken back to China where they will be tried, officials said Saturday.

Philippine police turned the couple over to Chinese authorities, who Friday flew them to Xiamen, in southeastern China, on a chartered flight from Cebu City, two days after the fatal shooting at the Lighthouse Restaurant there, said Philippines Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose.

Police say the consular official’s husband has been accused of killing Chinese diplomats Sun Shan and Hui Li, and wounding China’s Consul-General for Cebu City, Song Ronghua, on Wednesday.

Mr. Jose said the Chinese government had invoked diplomatic immunity for the couple under the 1961 Vienna Convention and a 2009 bilateral accord between Beijing and Manila.

“They will be tried under Chinese law,” Mr. Jose said. “They (Chinese authorities) asked for help, so the evidence obtained by the (Philippine police) will be shared with them.”

Regional police director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Banas said the couple hasn't issued any statement that could explain the motive for the shooting, partly because they couldn't speak English.

The victims and the suspects were attending a birthday lunch in a private room at the restaurant when the shooting occurred, he said.

—Copyright Associated Press 2015