Japanese national found dead in Lapu-Lapu City

CEBU, Philippines -  A 76-year-old Japanese was found dead inside his rented house in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning with an electrical cord tied around his neck and an open wound in the forehead.

Takao Ukena’s body was discovered by his helper, Manilie Canayang Paracueles, at 7:45 a.m. when the latter went inside to clean the room of the victim.

Paracueles told the police that she last saw Ukena watching television at 6:30 p.m. Monday before she left the house. Paracueles said the victim is living alone in the house as she only comes during day time.

Lapu-Lapu City police investigators are looking at the possibility of foul play in Ukena’s death. Police Officer 2 Jolin Carolo Jocitan and PO1 Franklin Bulaguia believe that somebody may have entered the house and killed the victim.

The police suspect that the open wound in the forehead may have been caused by a blunt object but they could not confirm it pending the result of the autopsy.

Police investigators said robbery may not also be a motive since there was nothing stolen from the house. –(FREEMAN)