Legal aid for suspect in maid’s beheading case

Philippine diplomat says services of consulate lawyer will be extended to suspect

AFilipino suspect arrested last week for allegedly beheading and dismembering his aunt (a Filipina maid) in May has asked for a lawyer to represent him in court and will be provided with one, officials said yesterday.

Philippine Consul-General Paul Raymund Cortes said he visited the suspect, G.S., in his 20s, at the Rashidiya police station to check on his condition. Cortes said the suspect was very healthy but that an air of melancholy surrounded him.

“I spoke to the suspect and he wanted to be assured that the government will extend legal assistance to him and we are definitely giving him the services of the consulate lawyer,” Cortes said. “He’s in good shape. He’s just waiting for a resolution and trying to be strong.”

Dubai Police arrested the suspect on September 20 after he confessed to the crime of killing and decapitating his aunt, Maria Normita de Lima, 46, in May. Her headless body was found in Al Warqa’a and only identified after a threemonth investigation.

Cortes said no information on the case was discussed during the meeting. The purpose of the visit was only to ascertain if he needed any help from the Philippine government.

“We’re extending assistance because they’re [suspect and victim] both Filipino. In our law, in our mandate to assist Filipinos, we do not discriminate whether a person is guilty or not of the crime he is being accused of. That’s not our job. Our job is to assist both parties.”

Cortes said they are arranging for the Dubai visit of Normita’s husband, Salvio.