Tourists arrested in nightclub riot

Lawmen arrested three Japanese tourists and two Chinese persons after they figured in a riot inside a Garapan nightclub Sunday, the Department of Public Safety said yesterday.

DPS spokesman Eric David said the three Japanese were part of a group of 10 who went to Club Macau as customers. A group of Chinese persons attacked the tourists when the latter refused to pay their $800 bill, which they believed was exorbitant.

Police could not disclose the identities and gender of the five arrested persons when pressed during a media briefing yesterday.

David said the Japanese tourists went to Club Macau Sunday and was asked by the establishment for a $250 downpayment, which the tourists did.

According to David, the tourists complained when the establishment billed them $800, after less than two hours of stay at the bar. They refused to settle the bill.

A group of Chinese then came to the establishment and picked a fight with the tourist group. Police arrested five men involved in the fray.