Japanese found dead in Cebu rented home

CEBU CITY, Philippines—A 76-year-old Japanese national was found dead in his room Tuesday morning.

Police are still investigating if there was foul play in the death of Takao Ukena.

Ukena, who was renting a house in KB Homes, Barangay (village) Agus, Lapu-Lapu City, was found dead by his caretaker identified as Marilie Paracueles at past 7 a.m.

Inspector Zanaido Pastorfide, chief of the homicide section of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said his men were still checking if Ukena committed suicide or if he was murdered.

The initial investigation showed that Ukena was last seen alive by Paracueles at 6:30 p.m., Monday.

Pastorfide said Paracueles went to the house of Ukena at past 7 a.m. to clean the house.

When Paracueles entered the room of Ukena, she saw the lifeless body of Ukena on his bed with an electrical cord around his neck.

But there was also an open wound on Ukena’s forehead, which raised the possibility of foul play.

But Pastorfide said they were still waiting for the autopsy result, which had not been conducted, as of noon Tuesday.

Pastorfide said there were no signs of struggle inside the room and valuables such as a wristwatch and a bracelet were still there.

However, Ukena’s wallet and cell phone could not be found, Pastorfide said.