Push Admin

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span dir="ltr" id="isPasted"></span></div><p>MANILA — Two Filipinos detained in Japan are now being investigated for murder and breaking into the residence of a slain Japanese couple.</p><p>According to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, this is an unfortunate development since murder in Japan is punishable by death.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/1/2-filipinos-face-murder-charge-over-bodies-found-in-japan-1602">READ: 2 Filipinos face murder charge over bodies found in Japan</a></div><div><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">The two were initially being investigated only on possible abandonment of corpses, a crime punishable by 3 years imprisonment.</span></div><p>“This is double murder, they could be convicted and sentenced to death under Japanese law. However, tingnan natin kung may mitigating circumstances, or kung well, there is a tendency for most countries now, for many countries, not to implement the death penalty. Pero I’m thinking far ahead, gawin natin ang lahat para iwasan ito na mahatulan sila ng death penalty usually by lethal injection &#x27;yan,” De Vega said.</p><p>On January 18, news broke on Japanese media about the bodies of Japanese couple Norihiro Takahashi, 55, and his wife Kimie, 52, found with multiple stab wounds under the floor of their residence in Tokyo&#x27;s Adachi Ward. </p><p>The discovery happened after their son found traces of blood in their home and reported them missing on January 16.</p><p>On January 19, Tokyo police arrested Hazel Ann Baguisa Morales, 30, which was immediately followed by the arrest of Bryan Jefferson Lising dela Cruz. 34, on January 22. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/01/23/24/filipino-man-arrested-over-bodies-found-under-tokyo-home">READ: Second Filipino national arrested over death of Japanese couple in Tokyo: DFA</a></div><p>Both were caught on security camera footage on the day of the Takahashis’ death.</p><p>However, the investigation shifted to murder on March 1, after additional evidence were established.</p><p>“Eto galing lang sa Japanese media, which they have sources within the Japanese police, may DNA daw eh, DNA daw ng Pilipina dun sa murder weapon. May proof daw na nakita raw na bumili siya ng mga kutsilyo bago nangyari yung insidente. Yung lalaki nandun din yung DNA niya sa incident, sa lugar, sa bahay...Tatlong araw from March 1 para i-prosecute ito or yung piskal mag-presinta ng charges, ng kaso. Pero pwede siya humingi ng 10 days further, beyond 3 days to investigate more and then another 10 days so maximum is 23 days,” De Vega said.</p><p>Access to both Morales and Dela Cruz are restricted and only the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are allowed to visit them at the moment. </p><p>De Vega explained the DFA is providing legal assistance to Morales since she is a permanent resident of Japan, while the DMW is handling the case of Dela Cruz for being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).</p><p>De Vega also clarified that both Morales and Dela Cruz did not admit to the crime.</p><p>“Walang inamin si Hazel, wala. Si Bryan eh, the only thing he might have said was nag-away sila ni Hazel about something… Pero walang umaamin na silang sumaksak, walang umaamin na plinano nila ito na patayin yung couple. Kasi kung umamin sila from the beginning sa piskal, nung inimbestigahan sila nung Enero pa, hindi tayo tumagal ng March 1 bago yung so-called re-arrest,&quot; De Vega explained.</p><p>In the event of a murder charge, the Philippine government intends to exhaust all legal remedies.</p><p>“Pwedeng pababain yung penalty imbes na i-maximum at saka humingi ng well, clemency ganun. So I think by March 24, alam na natin kung ano yung final case ng kaso or charges na isusumite sa hukuman. At dun lalabas, gagawin natin ang lahat ng magagawa natin,” de Vega assured.</p><p>De Vega also appealed to Filipinos overseas to abide by the law, so as not to jeopardize the positive image and reputation of Filipino migrant workers.</p><p>“Obviously, sumunod lang sa batas sa ibang bansa kasi we are guests in other countries, mataas ang tingin sa ‘tin… We trust na this will not cause the lowering ng high regard ng mga Hapon sa Filipino,” de Vega adds.</p><p>De Vega estimate at least 80,000 Filipinos in Japan, many of which are permanent residents.</p><div> </div>

<p>The DFA appealed to Filipinos overseas to abide by the law, so as not to jeopardize the positive image and reputation of Filipino migrant workers.</p>

The DFA appealed to Filipinos overseas to abide by the law, so as not to jeopardize the positive image and reputation of Filipino migrant workers.

2 Pinoys held in Japan may face death penalty if convicted: DFA

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

2 Pinoys held in Japan may face death penalty if convicted: DFA

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 04, 2024 06:01 PM PHT

Read More:

OFW

Japan

Philippines

Japan couple

death

murder

ANC

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.