DFA: Charges vs 2 Filipinos over Japanese couple’s death out by March 23

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega says charges against two Filipinos under investigation for the death of a couple in Japan will be known on March 23, 2024. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The final charges against two Filipinos under investigation for the death of a couple in Japan will be out on March 23, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Monday.

The two Filipinos identified by media outlet Japan Times as Bryan Jefferson Lising dela Cruz, 34, and Hazel Ann Baguisa Morales, 30, were rearrested on March 1.

Dela Cruz and Morales were earlier nabbed for abandonment of the couple’s bodies.

“Maximum ng 23 days, basehan sa Japanese procedure, bago magsampa ng final charges ang piskal sa korte bago matapos ang buwan. Malalaman natin ano ba talaga ang charges, kung talagang murder nga kasi meron daw bagong ebidensya na lumitaw,” de Vega said over Radyo 630.

(A maximum of 23 days, based on the Japanese procedure, before the prosecutor files final charges in court before the end of the month. We will find out what the charges really are, if it really is murder because there is new evidence that has appeared.)

READ: DFA visits 2 Filipinos held for Tokyo couple’s death

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official, Morales’ DNA was found on the murder weapon and authorities likewise discovered evidence that the Filipino woman bought knives before the incident.

“Asahan natin na magkaroon ng full due process. Sa Japan po kaya matagal ang preliminary investigation, pansin niyo January 19 naka detain sila, kasi sa Japan, ang system dyan matagal mag-investigate para pagdating sa kaso, sa paglilitis mismo sa hukuman – almost 100 percent conviction na, hindi ‘yung magkakamali ang piskal,” de Vega explained.

(Let’s expect a full due process. The preliminary investigation takes a long time, take note that they were detained on January 19, because in Japan, the system takes time so that when it reaches indictment, trial in court – almost 100 percent conviction, the fiscal will not make a mistake.)

As to when the final charges will come out, de Vega disclosed that it would be on March 23.

“We will know by March 23 what will be the case in court,” he said, noting that the Philippine embassy continues to provide all the assistance necessary to the two Filipinos.