DMW vows aid for Pinay arrested in Japan

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) yesterday said it will provide legal assistance to a Filipina who was arrested in Tokyo, Japan over the weekend.

In a radio interview, DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac said they are already working with the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo on providing immediate aid to Hazel Ann Morales, who was reportedly arrested for allegedly abandoning the dead bodies of a Japanese couple.

“We are already geared to provide legal assistance. We are in coordination with the Japanese authorities. We’ve made known to the authorities that we intend to provide legal and other forms of assistance. We will closely monitor this case,” said Cacdac.

“What is most important is that we are helping her in this case. Rest assured that it has come to our attention and we are fully in touch with the Japanese authorities for the provision of assistance,” he added.

In addition, the DMW chief said they will be in touch with the family of Morales in the Philippines.

“We will also get in touch with her family so we can assure them that she is being assisted,” said Cacdac.

Asked for the profile of Morales, he said initial reports indicated that she is an overseas Filipino worker.

“Whether or not she is a worker or a permanent resident there, we will all join forces to help her,” said Cacdac.

In a report over the weekend, Morales was reportedly arrested in Tokyo’s Adachi Ward over the suspicion of abandoning the bodies of Norihiro and Kimie Takahashi.

There were no additional details.