Japanese killing suspect confesses

By Ronron
May 17, 2005

Solsona Mayor Joseph de Lara confirmed in a phone interview Tuesday with Manila Shimbun the confession of suspect Rene Gabriel before him last Friday morning about his participation in the killing of Takemoto.

Meanwhile, Mary Jane Takemoto, the victim’s wife, was delighted about the positive development of her husband’s case, especially that it cleared her from being the prime suspect.

Mary Jane, in a phone interview also with Manila Shimbun yesterday, said the identification of the suspects and the arrest of one eased the pain she was carrying in her heart.

“At least, the death of my husband will be given justice already and the accusations against me will be cleared,” she said in Filipino.

But she stressed she is still lonely and sad because said development will not bring her husband back to life.

The suspects, according to Mary Jane, are not known to the Takemoto’s although she already heard their nicknames before.

Mary Jane said she met Gabriel last Monday at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office but they did not exchange words and come near to each other, as advised by the police.

“I was told not to approach him because I might say bad words against him, he might back out from testifying,” she said.

Mary Jane disclosed that Takemoto’s body was already autopsied Wednesday last week by the medico-legal team from the National Bureau of Investigation-Region 1.

His body will be buried tomorrow (Thursday) in the same locality./DMS