RP to send NBI pathologists to Singapore; families find ‘love triangle’ slant unbelievable

The Philippine government will be sending a pathologist from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to Singapore to observe the autopsy of murdered Filipina maid Jane Parangan La Puebla.

Foreign Affairs Spokesman Gilberto Asuque said this move came at the request of Singapore as a manifestation of ongoing cooperation between the two countries to resolve the case immediately.

Asuque said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Joe Brillantes already talked to the NBI to send a pathologist upon Singapore’s recommendation conveyed though a diplomatic note.

"Once the autopsy is completed and the investigation by the police is also completed, the Philippine Embassy will extend all possible assistance for the immediate return of the remains of Ms. La Puebla to Manila and then to the province," Asuque said.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Jose Brillantes welcomed this development amid concerns that Singapore would restrict the investigation.

"I am grateful for this invitation of the Singapore government for the Philippines to send a pathologist to participate in the investigation of this case. This shows the closeness of our bilateral relations and mutual desire for a speedy and judicious resolution of this case," Brillantes said.

Preliminary autopsies were already conducted by Singaporean authorities last Sept. 10 and 12, and witnessed by Consul Maria Lumen Isleta.

La Puebla’s head and limbs were found stashed inside a sports bag behind a metro station at Orchard Road, Singapore’s main shopping district, last Friday.

Another Filipina worker, Guen Aguilar, was arrested by police 12 hours after the body parts were discovered.

A love triangle said to involve a quarrel over a Singaporean taxi driver is believed to be the motive behind Aguilar’s alleged grisly murder of her friend.

But the Aguilar family and the victim’s mother doubted this was the case, saying Guen and Jane had been "best friends."

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, who is presently in New York, has instructed Brillantes and the embassy in Singapore to closely monitor the progress of the investigation, and to provide him with updates.

The NBI, meanwhile, dispatched investigators to Ilocos Sur yesterday to interview the relatives of the suspect.

"This is a preemptive action on our part," NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco explained.

Wycoco said they would compare results of their preliminary interviews with their Singaporean counterparts and determine if "it was really Guen Aguilar who did it."

The Philippine embassy has hired two Singaporean lawyers for Aguilar and La Puebla as part of Manila’s obligation to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress.

If convicted, Aguilar faces the maximum penalty of death under Singapore law.

Guen’s family appealed to President Arroyo to exhaust all legal means to save her from capital punishment.

"Madam President, please help my wife. Sana bigyan agad ng aksyon ng gobyerno ang kaso ng asawa ko bago mahuli ang lahat (I hope the government will act fast on my wife’s case before it’s too late)," Edwin told The STAR in a phone interview yesterday.

Aguilar’s case is reminiscent of the 1995 case of Flor Contemplacion, a Filipina maid who was hanged in Singapore for murdering Filipina maid Delia Maga.

The case stirred protests in the Philippines and strained relations between Manila and Singapore.

"Certainly, the Department of Foreign Affairs looks back to its history but we must stress that relations between Singapore and the Philippines are vibrant and productive. The matter of Aguilar will be resolved in accordance to the laws of Singapore," Asuque said.

Framed?

Back in her hometown of Tagudin, Guen’s family and even that of her best friend were surprised by reports of a romantic slant to the crime.

Edwin Aguilar sought to encourage his beleaguered wife on her predicament.

"Tatagan mo ang loob mo. Huwag kang mawawalan ng pag-asa (Be strong. Don’t lose hope)," Edwin said, directing a message to his wife through The STAR yesterday.

Edwin, 27, a former tricycle driver, stopped working to devote time to their two children left behind by Guen, 29, when she went to work in Singapore.

Edwin, with his two kids — Mark Angelo, 7, and Mark Edwin, 6 — sitting beside him in front their bamboo-walled house in Barangay Baracbac, described his wife Guen as a pious woman who always went to Church whenever she was at home. Guen left for Singapore on August 5, 2002.

Edwin does not believe the reports that a quarrel over a Singaporean taxi driver led to the gruesome murder.

"I think that she was just framed," he said.

"Hindi niya magagawa yon (She would not do that)," added Edwin, his voice barely audible, in reaction to reports of Guen’s alleged romantic love triangle with the taxi driver and her best friend.

Edwin pointed out that Guen and Jane had treated each other as sisters.

Recalling the last time they talked over the phone last Aug. 28, Edwin said she asked him to take good care of their children, especially their son Mark Edwin who was then sick. Their last communication was last Sept. 8 through a text message wherein Guen asked about family matters and promised to send money on Sept. 11, 2005 so that Edwin could bring their sick son to a doctor.

But on the night of Sept. 10, the DFA called the police station of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, which, in turn, went to Edwin’s house and informed him of Guen’s arrest.

Despite the ordeal his family is now undergoing, Edwin remained hopeful. "Hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa. Me awa ang Diyos (I’m not losing hope. God is merciful)."

Edwin has two requests of the government. One is that he be able to talk to Guen through phone and the other is that her personal belongings be secured by the Embassy, and if possible, be sent back home.

‘It Couldn’t Be Her’

At the victim’s native town of Nueva Vizcaya, La Puebla’s mother expressed doubts that her daughter’s best friend was the one who killed her.

"I can’t believe she was the one who killed my daughter, much more in such a gruesome manner," said Paulina Antonio-Parangan.

The 45-year old mother living in Barangay Almaguer North in Bambang town said there was no way one of them would resort to such a grisly act. Both OFWs have been working in Singapore for about three years.

Their family, she added, refuses to accept that a love triangle had something to do with Jane’s killing.

Paulina said her daughter often took pride in her "close friendship" with Guen in Singapore every time her daughter called from abroad.

"I don’t remember my daughter saying any negative or bitter word about Guen, even up to her last call last week before she was reported missing," Paulina said in between sobs.

She said they were shocked upon hearing about Jane’s gruesome murder over the radio last Saturday evening, or hours before Jane’s Singaporean employer phoned them for the second time to say that "Jane’s still missing."— With Aurea Calica and reports from Evelyn Macairan, Eva Visperas, Charlie Lagasca, Jun Elias, Christina Mendez, Teddy Molina, AP