DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                                           2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                                 Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-738-05                                                                                                                                                                                                                             11 October  2005

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY TOKYO REPORTS CREMATION OF REMAINS OF AMALIA CARNATE AND 3 CHILDREN PURSUANT TO HUSBAND’S DECISION

11 October 2005 –The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the remains of Amalia Semilla Carnate and her three minor children were cremated on 10 October 2005 pursuant to the wishes of Mrs. Carnate’s husband, Mr. Danilo P. Carnate.

Consul General Claro Cristobal informed the Department that the Embassy assigned Mr. Laurence Sumando, Assistance to National Officer, as the case officer for Amalia.    Mr. Sumando reported that Danilo, as the next of kin, decided to cremate the remains of Amalia and their children in accordance with the Japanese procedure on the proper disposition of remains.                 .

Mr. Sumando added that Cleofe Semilla, sister of Amalia, has taken custody of the urn containing the ashes of Amalia.   Consul General Cristobal said the Embassy is now facilitating the documentary requirements for the urn with Amalia’s ashes and the travel arrangements for Cleofe who will bring back the ashes of Amalia to Mindoro Oriental so that the family may say their prayers and arrange for the burial.

Mr. Sumando informed the Department that Danilo has taken custody of the urns containing the ashes of the three children.

Consul General Cristobal earlier reported to the Department that Mr. Carnate found Amalia and her three children dead in their home in Saitama Prefecture on 6 October 2005 when he returned home from work around 6:00 p.m.  The Embassy furnished the Department with the initial findings of the investigation by the Yoshikawa Police in the Saitama Prefecture that indicated Amalia might have stabbed her three minor children to death before committing suicide.     The police also reported that Amalia slashed herself twice in the wrist in an incident that occurred on 11 and 12 September 2005.  Mrs. Fariza Carnate Kamoshida, sister of Danilo, confirmed this incident to the Embassy, Consul General Cristobal said.

The Embassy continues to coordinate with the police on the complete results of the investigation. Mr. Sumando said that in accordance with police procedures, the complete report on the investigation of the Amalia case would only be disclosed to Danilo, as the next of kin.

The Embassy records show that Danilo is a construction worker in Japan while Amalia was a housewife.  They are permanent residents of Japan. END

/jay