WOMAN ADMITS TO KILLING BALIKBAYAN SISTER, JAPANESE NIECE

A WOMAN has admitted to killing her sister and Japanese niece who were initially reported missing but whose bodies were found buried last week in Tayabas, Quezon.

Three more suspects are being hunted by the police.

The Tayabas police said they have in their custody the sister of the eldest victim, an overseas Filipino worker, and a resident of Japan. 

The sister is now in a hospital in Quezon after she attempted to commit suicide after the police discovered the body of the victims in her backyard.

She reportedly admitted that the crime was planned in December.

The suspect told police she and three more suspects, among them her husband, killed the victims by beating and stabbing them to death.

Litada, 54, and her daughter, Mai Motegi, 26, a Japanese citizen, arrived in the Philippines last month and stayed at the suspects residence in Tayabas, Quezon.

Police said a nephew of the sisters said Litada and Motegi were planning to make transactions over a property during their trip and were carrying P5 million  ($90,000) in cash for it.

The victims were reported missing since February 21, 2024 by Litada’s other sister, Saylee Oliva Olbis.

Police found the victims’ remains in a shallow grave near the suspects home in Tayabas on March 14.

Litada had a puncture wound on the chest while Motegi had suffered a broken jaw, police said.

The victims’ luggage were first seen floating in a river.

Initial investigation points to money as possible motive for the crime.