Cops nab suspect in killing of Japanese man, Filipina in Pasig

Police have arrested a suspect in the killing of a Japanese man and a Filipina woman in Pasig City, according to Emil Sumangil’s report in 24 Oras.

Christian Leona is accused of strangling his girlfriend Ana Marie Dalusong, 38, and stabbing Yasunori Mori, 73, inside their own home in Barangay Manggahan, where their bodies were found at around 8 p.m. on March 28.

Mori, who was Dalusong's aunt's husband, had been stabbed at least 13 times.

“Masakit na masakit... kumbaga kung pwede nga lang patayin siya, papatayin eh diba. Pero siyempre may takot kami sa Diyos, so pagpapasadiyos ko na and then sa batas na lang… sana matulungan kami ng batas,” said Mary Louise Grace Dalusong Salvador, Mori's stepdaughter.

(It was painful… if it’s allowed to kill him, we would. But of course, we fear in God so we leave it up to Him. We’re also relying on our law for justice, so I hope the law can help us.)

Relatives’ accounts and initial police investigation allege that Leona assaulted the victims after learning that Ana Marie was about to break up with him.

Salvador also said it was not the first time the suspect hurt his girlfriend, recalling a similar incident back in December.

“May instances noong December na sinakal din siya na nakuha na pong pumutok ng ugat ng pinsan ko sa mata. According po sa pinsan ko, every time na sinasabi niya na makikipag-break siya, sinasaktan siya. May mga times daw talaga na parang may pagka-demonyo siya pag galit pero mabait naman daw pag mahinahon,” she said.

(There was an instance in December that he also strangled my cousin to the point that one of the nerves in her eyes burst. According to my cousin, every time she threatened to break up with him, he would hurt her. She said he would act like a demon when he was mad, but act kindly when calm.)

Leona is in under police custody. He is facing charges of murder and theft after some items in the victims’ household were reported missing.

GMA News tried to seek his statement but he refused. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA News