France urged to speed up probe on Pinay's killing

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs reported that the Philippine embassy urged French authorities to speed up investigation on the killing of a Filipino-French businesswoman in Paris before the weekend as the DFA expressed concern over the incident.

The embassy said the French police have already arrested a suspect.

In a report to the DFA, Philippine Ambassador Cristina Ortega said the embassy had sent a letter to the Prefecture of the 17th Arondissement, the area where the killing took place last Feb. 17.

The deceased Ellen Ortega-Apilado, proprietor of Mariton Travel, was a naturalized French citizen who had not reacquired Philippine citizenship.

She was found dead with multiple stab wounds in her body in her office at 17th Arondissement in Paris.

Ortega said that embassy personnel also attended a religious service at the residence of the deceased last Saturday morning.

As described in French media reports, the suspect was a white male, in his 40s, and possibly known to the victim’s family.

“The embassy is waiting for the release of the police’s preliminary findings early next week. The embassy is committed to ensuring the safety of the Filipino community in France and the early resolution of the case,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said.