(PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has assured assistance to an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was arrested and detained in Japan.
DMW officer-in-charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, in a statement on Thursday, said they have received a report from the DMW Migrant Workers Office (MWO)-Tokyo on the arrest and detention of a male OFW in connection with the case of a Japanese couple found dead inside their home in Tokyo's Adachi Ward last week.
Cacdac said he immediately directed the MWO in Tokyo to visit and meet with the concerned OFW and assured him of government assistance.
Cacdac also directed the MWO-Tokyo to ascertain the OFW’s condition and determine any immediate needs he may require, the statement read.
The MWO-Tokyo was also instructed to ensure more than adequate legal assistance to the detained OFW.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier confirmed that two Filipinos have been arrested in Japan after 55-year-old Norihiro Takahashi and his 52-year-old wife Kimie were found dead in their residence.
According to Kyodo News, the couple’s bodies were found with multiple stab wounds and signs of struggle.
Shortly after the discovery of the bodies, Japanese authorities arrested Hazel Ann Baguisa Morales for allegedly abandoning the bodies of the couple.
DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Bryan Lao said Japanese authorities investigated after the couple’s child reported them missing until their bodies were found covered with plastic.
Lao said that in the course of the investigation, authorities saw in the security footage the two Filipinos within the premises.
He, however, said it has not been confirmed whether the two accused know each other.
Morales already has a court-appointed counsel who denied all allegations against her.
The DMW is now in close coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.
“As we condole with the families of the deceased Japanese couple, we assure our kababayan and his family of our utmost assistance in close coordination with Ambassador Milen Garcia and the PHL Embassy in Tokyo,” Cacdac said.
The DMW said they will issue further information on the matter as necessary. (PNA)
