The two Filipinos detained in Japan may be sentenced to death penalty once found guilty of killing a Japanese couple in Tokyo last January, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Usec. Eduardo de Vega said on Sunday, March 3.

Interviewed on DZRH's Huntahan, De Vega mentioned that the DNA of Hazel Ann Morales, an overseas Filipino worker based in Japan, was reportedly found in the weapon allegedly used to stab the couple.

"Ang media ng Japan, sila mismo ang nagre-report na may nakitang DNA sa murder weapon, na DNA ng ating kababayan na babae. At meron ding ebidensya na bumili siya ng mga kutsilyo few days before the incident," he said.

Meanwhile, the DNA of Bryan Dela Cruz, a permanent resident in Japan, was said found in the slain couple's house.

As per de Vega, the reported evidence could be used to charge Morales and Dela Cruz with murder which is punishable with a death sentence.

"Meron ngayong time period para ang fiscal [ay] mag-imbestiga pa at magsampa ng kaso sa korte. Malalaman natin bago matapos ang buwan ng Marso kung ano talaga ang final charges. Kasi dati, abandonment, three years lang 'yan. Kung murder, maaaring death penalty 'yan," he said.

He assured that Morales and De Cruz were receiving the legal assistance they needed.

On January 19, Kyodo News reported that Morales was arrested for allegedly abandoning the bodies of Norihiro Takahashi and his wife Kimie inside their home in Tokyo's Adachi Ward.

Four days later, the Tokyo-based news agency reported that Dela Cruz was also arrested over the same allegation.