Second suspect in Demafelis murder arrested in Syria: DFA

The second suspect in the brutal murder of overseas Filipino worker Joanna Demafelis is now in the custody of Syrian authorities, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Saturday night. (RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — The second suspect in the brutal murder of overseas Filipino worker Joanna Demafelis is now in the custody of Syrian authorities, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Saturday night.

The arrest of Mona Hassoun, wife of Nader Essam Assaf, the principal suspect in the murder of Demafelis, was done less than two days after the latter was held in custody of Lebanon authorities.

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

The official said Assaf, who is a Lebanese national, was immediately turned over to Lebanese authorities on Thursday.

The two were taken into custody after Kuwaiti authorities requested the assistance of Interpol in locating and arresting them.

For his part, Cayetano assured that with the two suspects now arrested, the DFA and the Department of Labor and Employment will follow President Rodrigo Duterte’s instructions to “vigorously pursue justice” for Demafelis.

DFA earlier relayed expectations that Kuwaiti authorities will request the extradition of the suspects to stand trial in Kuwait.

Demafelis, a Filipina from Sara, Iloilo was reported missing in 2016.

Early February, her battered body was discovered inside a freezer in the couple’s abandoned apartment.