DFA: Filipino denies involvement in couple's death in Tokyo

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)— One of two Filipinos arrested in Japan for allegedly abandoning the bodies of a married couple in Tokyo denied any involvement in the crime, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a statement that personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo visited the arrested woman on Tuesday.

He added that she already has a court-appointed counsel.

"Our Embassy was able to visit the lady yesterday," De Vega said. "She assures her family that she is fine. She already has court-appointed counsel, though we can provide her a private lawyer if she asks for it. She denies all involvement in the crime,"

Meanwhile, the embassy said it has not yet been able to visit the Filipino man arrested for the same crime.

"As for the male Filipino, tomorrow is when they can see him," De Vega said.

Speaking with CNN Philippines on Tuesday, De Vega said the arrested Filipino woman was in a pre-indictment detention and is not yet indicted.

The Filipina was arrested on Friday after Norihiro Takahashi, 55, and his wife Kimie, 52, were found dead in their residence in Tokyo's Adachi Ward.

The couple's bodies were found with multiple stab wounds and signs of struggle, local news reports in Japan said.

READ: DFA: Two Filipinos arrested for alleged abandonment of couple's corpses in Tokyo