A special task force has been formed to probe the gruesome murder of a Japanese national and her Filipina mother, who both gone missing and was later found buried in the backyard of the latter's sister in Tayabas City, Quezon last March 14.
In a statement, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-A said the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) “Motegi” was created to investigate the killing of 26-year-old Mai Motegi and her 54-year-old mother, Lorry Litada.
The SITG-Motegi is composed of seasoned investigators and experts from different PRO4A units will diligently work towards unraveling the truth behind this unfortunate incident.
Calabarzon regional police chief Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas said they have instructed the team to conduct in-depth profiling of the suspects, expedite the SOCO (Scene of Crime Operation) examination results, and perform other tasks to solve the case promptly.
"Anyone with relevant information regarding the case is encouraged to come forward and assist us in our efforts to bring justice to the victims and their families," he said.
Initial reports said the bodies of the two victims were found in the backyard of the residence of Litada’s sister, Ligaya Oliva Pajulas inBella Vita Subdivision in Barangay Isabang.
Investigators say the two lived in Japan, but were reported missing during a visit to the Philippines last month. Police began searching for them at the request of relatives.
Police say the sister may be connected to the deaths. But investigators say she was taken to a hospital after attempting suicide on Friday.
Local media outlets quoted police as saying that the mother and daughter were carrying 5 million Philippine pesos, or about 90,000 dollars, in cash to buy land. But the money was reportedly missing.
The reports also said police suspect there was financial trouble between the two victims and the sister and her husband.
The police formed a special body to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a missing Japanese national and her Filipina mother, whose remains were found buried near the residence of the latter’s sister in Tayabas City last March 14.
According to Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-A, the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) “Motegi” was created to investigate the killing of 26-year-old Mai Motegi and her 54-year-old mother, Lorry Litada.
Based on initial reports, Motegi and Litada’s remains was found in the backyard of the residence of Litada’s sister, Ligaya Oliva Pajulas inBella Vita Subdivision in Barangay Isabang.
“The SITG “Motegi” composed of seasoned investigators and experts from different PRO4A units will diligently work towards unraveling the truth behind this unfortunate incident,” Calabarzon regional police chief Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas said in a statement on Sunday.
Lucas likewise instructed the team to conduct in-depth profiling of the suspects, expedite the SOCO (Scene of Crime Operation) examination results, and perform other tasks to solve the case promptly.
“Anyone with relevant information regarding the case is encouraged to come forward and assist us in our efforts to bring justice to the victims and their families,” he said.
Tayabas City police chief Lieutenant Colonel Bonna Obmerga tagged Pejulas and her husband as persons of interest in the case.
