THE Filipina arrested by Japanese authorities over the death of a Japanese couple whose bodies were discovered last January 16 is in “good condition,” the Philippine Ambassador to Japan said yesterday.
Philippine Ambassador Mylene Garcia-Albano said the consul general was able to talk personally to the Filipina at a detention center last Tuesday.
“She told the consul general that she is okay, that she is in good condition,” Garcia-Albano told Teleradyo.
Garcia-Albano added that she has already secured the services of a lawyer and asked Philippine embassy officials to relay a message to the Filipina’s family in the Philippines.
DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Teresita Daza said the investigation on the case is ongoing and assured the public the department is on top of the situation.
“The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo is working closely with Japanese police authorities on the case. It is a sensitive case, and there are strict data privacy laws. So we do not like to continue to grant interviews or alike, largely because we feel that we do not like to unduly and adversely affect the ongoing proceedings,” Daza said.
“But the assurance is, yes, we are on top of the situation, our post in Tokyo is doing what needs to be done. And should legal assistance be needed, legal assistance will then be provided,” she added.
Last Tuesday, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega said another Filipino was taken into custody by Japanese authorities in connection with the case.
“Another Filipino citizen was arrested today, but it is not clear if he was involved in the killing,” De Vega said.
Japanese media previously reported that a Filipina national identified as Hazel Ann Morales was arrested on suspicion of abandoning the bodies of Norihiro Takahashi, 55, and his 52-year-old wife Kimie, at their house.
The couple’s bodies were found in their home and appeared to have been stabbed.
