Remains of two Filipinas killed in Cyprus arrive in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The remains of the two Filipinas who were murdered by a serial killer in Cyprus arrived on Saturday night, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The DFA said the remains of the Filipinas, identified as Marry Rose Infante and Maricar Arquiola, were brought home aboard a flight from Doha and were welcomed by their families in Manila alongside DFA officials.

Infante and Arquiola were among the seven victims of killer Nicholas Metaxas, an officer of the Cyprus National Guard. 

The DFA said the Embassy in Athens continues to monitor the case of the third Filipina, Arian Palanas Lozano, who was also slain by the killer. 

There is no date yet of the repatriation of Lozano’s remains, the DFA said. 

The killer has been sentenced to seven life sentences last month after pleading guilty to killing five women, including the three Filipinas, and two children.

Metaxas earlier pleaded guilty and apologized to the families of his victims for the “unjust pain” he has caused them.

Metaxas said he doesn’t “have any clear answers” why he committed the killings and that he has “struggled” to figure out the “why and how.” /je