Malaysia rules RP consul's death a 'crime of passion'

MANILA, Philippines - The Malaysian police has declared the death of a Filipino diplomat as a “crime of passion,” practically ruling out a theory that he was murdered by human trafficking syndicates, Migrante International said yesterday.

The group said in a statement that Malaysian police declared social welfare attaché Finardo Cabilao as gay and his death a crime of passion.

“This is the most unacceptable and bizarre twist of the story and one most disrespectful to Mr. Cabilao, his wife and family,” Gary Martinez, Migrante international chairman, said.

Cabilao was found dead in his rented apartment in Kuala Lumpur last Aug. 5. His family and friends believe he was tortured because an autopsy showed his body was severely mutilated and all his files and his computer were missing.

Martinez said their group was surprised over the alleged reluctance of the government to determine the real motive of the killing.

Migrante believes the police report could be part of a cover-up and an independent investigation would expose Cabilao’s killers and why they killed him.

Martinez said Cabilao was a staunch defender of trafficking victims and had been receiving death threats.

He said his group has investigated alleged reports of Filipinos working as slaves in Malaysian plantation farms and being victimized by sex trafficking syndicates.

“We demand that the Philippine government initiate an independent investigation to ferret out the truth behind Cabilao’s death,” Martinez said.

– Perseus Echeminada