Four ‘persons of interest’ in Tayabas killing now considered suspects

INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The four “persons of interest” in the killing of a Japanese national and her Filipina mother in Tayabas City are now suspects after authorities found new evidence related to the case, police said on Tuesday.

Quezon Police Provincial Office (PPO) said that on Monday night, the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) “Motegi” implemented a search warrant at a suspect’s house where the crime was allegedly committed based on the witnesses’ statements.

READ: Missing Japanese national, mother found buried in Quezon

“Recovered were pieces of evidence such as 136 pieces of 10,000 ‘Lapad’ or Japanese Yen (P30,000.00), and other object evidence that corroborate the statement of the witnesses,” police revealed in a statement.

“With the gathered testimonial and object evidence, the SITG is optimistic that formal charges will be filed against the suspects as the pertinent documents needed for prosecution office are being prepared in coordination with Department Circular Number 20 of the Department of Justice,” they added.

Quezon PPO opted not to reveal the names of the suspects but indicated that two of them are relatives of the victims.

Investigators earlier said that personal grudge or money might be the suspects’ motive in killing the victims.

Based on previous reports, the remains of 26-year-old Mai Motegi and her 54-year-old mother, Lorry Litada, were found buried near the backyard of the residence of Litada’s sister, Ligaya Oliva Pajulas, in Bella Vita Subdivision in Barangay Isabang.

Police said the two were reported missing by another sister of Litada last February.