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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider SITG formed to expedite probe of mother-daughter murder in Quezon

SITG formed to expedite probe of mother-daughter murder in Quezon

Published Mar 17, 2024 05:50 am

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – The Quezon Police Provincial Office (QPPO) activated on Sunday, March 17, a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to probe the murder of a Japanese girl and her Filipino mother in Tayabas City, Quezon last month.

SITG MOTEGI.jpg

POLICE inspect on Saturday, March 16, the area in Barangay Isabang, Tayabas City where the cadavers of a Japanese woman and her Filipino mother were buried in a shallow grave two days earlier on March 14. (Photo via Danny Estacio)

SITG Motegi conducted its first case conference on Friday, March 15, in which the latest developments and the result of the initial investigation conducted by Tayabas City Police Station on the deaths of Mai Motegi, 26, Japanese, and her mother Lorry Litada, 54, were presented.

Police Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, Police Regional Office-4 chief, said the activation of SITG Motegi underscores their commitment to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation on the incident.

The SITG, he said, is composed of seasoned investigators and experts from different PRO 4-A units. “They will diligently work towards unraveling the truth behind this unfortunate incident,” Lucas said.

Lucas instructed the SITG to conduct an in-depth profiling of the suspects, expedite the results of the forensics examination, and perform other tasks to promptly solve the case.

He urged the public to refrain from speculations and extend their cooperation and support to the investigation. “Anyone with relevant information regarding the case is encouraged to come forward and assist us in our efforts to bring justice to the victims and their families,” he said.

Person of interest

A person of interest in the case surrendered to the police on Friday in Pio Duran, Albay, a municipality about more than 300 kilometers away from Tayabas City.

The POI, Ligaya Oliva Pajulas, is now under the custody of lawmen in Tayabas City. She is the sister of Lorry and auntie of Mai.

Police Major Darwin Sevilla, Pio Duran police chief, said the son of Ligaya, Lorry's elder sister, sought assistance and coordinated with the police for the surrender of her mother.

Lorry and Mai’s bodies were found buried in a shallow grave near the house of Pajulas in the posh Bella Vita Subdivision in Barangay Isabang on Thursday afternoon, March 14.

Lorry’s P5 million intended to pay for a property they bought in this province was missing.

She was an Overseas Filipino Worker in Japan and was on vacation with Mai when they went missing on February 20.

Police Lt. Col. Bonna Obmerga, Tayabas police chief, said Ligaya and her husband Charlie left their house after the victims were reported missing on February 21.

Related Tags

SITG Motegi person of interest Quezon province Deaths Tayabas City
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