4 suspects in Tayabas City killing now face double murder raps

INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon Police Provincial Office (PPO) has filed criminal complaints against the four suspects in the killing of a Japanese national and her Filipina mother, whose remains were found buried near the residence of the latter’s sister in Tayabas City last March 14.

According to Quezon PPO, its Special Investigation Task Group “Motegi” concluded its investigation and filed double-murder charges against the four suspects, including two of the victims’ relatives.

READ: Missing Japanese national, mother found buried in Quezon

“With the filing of formal charges against the suspects, we can say that the case is deemed cleared,” Quezon police chief Col. Ledon Monte said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

This development came after authorities uncovered new pieces of evidence at a suspect’s home, such as 136 pieces of 10,000 ‘Lapad’ of Japanese Yen and other objects that “corroborate the statement of the witnesses.”

Quezon PPO opted not to reveal the names of the suspects but indicated 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.