2nd suspect in Demafelis murder arrested in Syria

Syrian authorities have arrested the second suspect in the brutal murder of overseas Filipino worker Joanna Demafelis, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

"We have just been informed by the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait that Mona Hassoun, wife of Nader Essam Assaf, who are the principal suspects in the murder of our kababayan Joanna Demafelis, is now in custody of authorities in Damascus," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said.

DFA Official confirms second suspect in the brutal murder of OFW Joanna Demafelis Mona Hassoun, wife of Nader Essam Assaf, who are the principal suspects is now in the custody of authorities in Syria.

— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) February 24, 2018

Cayetano assured the public that with the two suspects now in custody, the DFA and the Department of Labor and Employment will follow President Rodrigo Duterte's instructions to vigorously pursue justice for Demafelis.

The DFA chief announced the Hassoun's arrest a day after he announced that Lebanese authorities already have custody of her husband, Nader Essam Assaf.

Citing an initial report from Ambassador Renato Villa, Cayetano said Hassoun was arrested with her husband in Syria where the two fled after leaving Kuwait last year.

Cayetano said the husband, who is a Lebanese national, was immediately turned over to Lebanese authorities.

The two were taken into custody after Kuwaiti authorities requested the assistance of the International Criminal Police Organization in locating and arresting them. — MDM, GMA News