THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it is verifying reports that two Japan-based Filipinos have been indicted for murder and trespassing over the death of an elderly couple in Tokyo last January.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said Japanese media have reported that authorities indicted Hazel Ann Morales and Bryan Jefferson dela Cruz last March 22.
“The Philippine Embassy is still confirming this indictment with the lawyer,” De Vega said, adding Morales is still denying any involvement in the elderly couple’s death.
“Hazel still denies any involvement. Bryan admits to being at the crime scene but says that he did not kill them,” De Vega said, quoting the embassy.
De Vega added that Morales will be “visited today by the Embassy.”
“Bryan is under (the) cargo of DMW Migrant Workers Office as he was an OFW,” he added.
De Vega said the DFA, through the embassy, will closely monitor the case and ensure that due process is provided under Japanese law for both Filipinos.
Japanese news reports said the two have been indicted by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor’s Office.
It said Morales and Dela Cruz broke into the house of the elderly couple on January 16.
