Bodies of two missing Filipinas in Cyprus found: DFA

April 26, 2019

The bodies of two missing Filipinas were found in an abandoned mine in Cyprus earlier this month, and the self-confessed suspect is a member of the National Guard, the Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA) said Friday.

''It was found out that the self-confessed suspect is a Cypriot and member of the National Guard, and that he met the Filipinas through a dating website,'' the DFA said.

Still missing is the child's remains, the DFA said.

''The three Filipinas—one of whom was with her daughter--were reported missing between 2017 and 2018, and authorities have initially thought that they disappeared for other reasons and had not been victims of a violent crime,'' the DFA said.

''The DFA welcomes the break in the recent investigation in light of the discovery of bodies in the abandoned mine in Mitsero earlier this month,'' it said.

''It is hoped that the investigation would bring the perpetrator to justice,'' the DFA said.

The DFA, through the Philippine Embassy in Athens, extends its condolences to the families of the victims, whose identities it cannot mention as of the moment to respect their next of kin.

Embassy representatives are in Cyprus to meet with authorities on the case and provide further assistance to the investigation, including the provision of DNA samples to help in identifying the victims.

It also stands ready to provide assistance to the victim’s families, should it be needed, the DFA said. DMS