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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Another Filipino implicated in Japanese couple's death

Another Filipino implicated in Japanese couple's death

Published Jan 23, 2024 11:56 am

Another Filipino national has been implicated in the death of a Japanese couple in Tokyo, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) disclosed on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said the Philippine Embassy in Japan already launched its own investigation into the arrest of a male Filipino after a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed he was present in the area where the couple was found dead with stab wounds.

But de Vega clarified that the second suspect was not connected to Hazel Ann Morales, the Filipina who was first reported to be facing charges in relation to the Norihiro and Kimie Takahashi's deaths.

"Tinitingnan nila ano talaga iyong mga anggulo (They're looking at the real angle)," he said in a public briefing.

 "Maaari kasing inosente iyong ating kababayan at iyong isang Filipino na lalaki ang responsible; titingnan po natin (Morales might be innocent, and it was the other Filipino suspect who is responsible. Let's see)," he added.

De Vega said Morales already denied any involvement in the couple's killing.

De Vega also clarified that Morales was only facing charges for abandonment, and not murder.

"Meaning, kapag ikaw ay may nakitang patay or bangkay or patay na tao tapos iniwanan mo lang na, hindi mo ni-report sa pulis, puwede kang kasuhan ng abandonment kasi maaaring kasabwat ka sa pagpatay pero hindi ibig sabihin na murder case (If you've found a dead body and you just leave it and do not report it to the police, you can be charged with abandonment because you might be an accomplice to the death)," de Vega said.

On Jan. 21, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) first reported that Morales was arrested on suspicion of abandoning the couple, whose bodies were found at Adachi Ward.

It was not clear if Morales was an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) working for the couple, but de Vega, citing reports, said the victims were her partner's parents.

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