Filipina slain in Singapore big loss to Ilocos family

TAGUDIN, Ilocos Sur—A day before she was found dead in a hotel in Singapore on March 4, Rezzilyn Lodia Vinegas sent her family P10,000 as downpayment for a motorcycle.

“She called immediately [on March 3] to find out if we were able to have our new motorcycle. She really cared for us,” said Rezzilyn’s brother, Emmanuel.

Rezzilyn and her boyfriend, Bangladesh national Mohammad Sumon Lutfar, were found dead from stab wounds inside the Summer Hotel in Singapore on Sunday night.

Rezzilyn’s mother, Matilde, said on Thursday that the family wanted to see the official police report that could explain the circumstances that led to her daughter’s death.

Matilde said the family was invited to the Department of Foreign Affairs’ regional consular office in San Fernando City, La Union, on Tuesday, where they were informed about her daughter’s death.

“I broke down as soon as we were told about her death,” Matilde said.

She said the family had no premonition about the tragedy, having just spoken to her daughter on Saturday.

Matilde said they had been introduced to Lutfar, and have had telephone conversations with him before.

Rezzilyn had been working as a maid in Singapore for six years. She left behind three children from a previous relationship. The children have been placed under their father’s custody and were receiving financial support from Rezzilyn, her relatives here said. Leoncio Balbin Jr., Inquirer Northern Luzon