DMW assisting Pinay arrested in Tokyo

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DWM) is extending legal and other necessary assistance to a Filipino arrested in Tokyo for allegedly abandoning the bodies of a Japanese couple.

“We have made known to the Japanese authorities that we intend to provide such legal and other forms of assistance to her,” DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said in a radio interview yesterday.

Based on news reports from Japan, Filipina Hazel Ann Morales was arrested on suspicion of abandoning the bodies of Norihiro and Kimie Takahashi.

The bodies of the Japanese couple were found in their home and appeared to have been stabbed.

Cacdac said the DMW is in touch with Philippine Ambassador Mylene Garcia-Albano for the next step to be taken.

It is not clear whether Morales is a migrant worker or is already a permanent resident of Japan but Cacdac said the DMW and the Philippine embassy always coordinate with each other on cases of Filipinos needing legal aid.

Cacdac also assured the Morales family of assistance.

Meanwhile, the DMW clarified that the removal of the signage “Blas Ople” from its building was intended to put “a new and better” one.

“The DMW is in the process of renovating and upgrading our head office’s façade. As part of this project, the Blas Ople signage was removed so we could put a new and better signage,” the DMW said in a statement.

The DMW issued the statement in response to the observation of Carlo Ople, a nephew of the late former DMW secretary Susan Ople who expressed sadness over the removal of his grandfather’s name in the agency’s main office in Mandaluyong.