The Filipino value of “blood is thicker than water” often dictates strong family loyalty and trust, particularly when Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) send remittances home.

Yet, this narrative exposes the dark truth: there are moments when greed triumphs over family ties, and misplaced rage leads to devastating, fatal consequences.

We examine two cases of shocking homicides—one driven by immense financial greed, the other by savage, misdirected anger—both committed against women who trusted their closest contacts.

Part I: The Familial Betrayal in Tayabas

The tragic case of Lori Litada (54) and her daughter, May Motegi (a flight stewardess), unfolded in March 2024, shocking the nation with its motive: immense greed.

Lori, a Filipino-Japanese balikbayan, and May had recently returned from Japan, staying at the home of Lori’s older sister, Ligaya Olivia Pahulas, and her husband, Charlie, in Tayabas, Quezon.

The mother and daughter were carrying approximately PHP 5 million, intended to purchase a house and lot in San Narciso, Quezon.

The initial alarm was raised after a suitcase belonging to the victims, containing bloody items, was recovered from a river under a bridge in Tayabas.

When the family still could not contact Lori and May, Lori’s nephew, Adrian, approached authorities, revealing the shocking lack of cooperation from his aunt, Ligaya.

Ligaya provided conflicting stories, first claiming the mother and daughter had suddenly left by bus after an argument in Japanese, and then suddenly disappearing herself, along with her husband, Charlie, to Bicol.

Adrian’s suspicion was rooted in trust: Ligaya was Lori’s designated confidante and was in control of her sister’s bank accounts.

This financial access, coupled with the PHP 5 million cash, became the deadly motivation.

On March 14, 2024, police returned to the home of Ligaya and Charlie Pahulas. They noticed a suspicious patch of freshly dug soil in the backyard.

After securing the scene, forensic teams excavated the area, discovering the shallow grave containing the bodies of Lori and May. The victims were positively identified, confirming the family’s worst fears.

The autopsy revealed a brutal double homicide: both women succumbed to blunt force trauma and wounds (Lori was struck with a hard object; May was assaulted).

Ligaya was soon located, reportedly attempting self-harm before being persuaded by her child to surrender. Ligaya confessed that she, her husband Charlie, and two other accomplices were responsible for the double homicide.

Police investigation confirmed the motive: greed, mixed with what was believed to be envy over Lori’s success.

Ligaya revealed they had planned the fatal assault since December of the previous year. Charlie and the two accomplices are still at large, but Ligaya faces double murder charges.

The tragic reality is that Lori and May’s lives were brutally taken by the one person Lori trusted implicitly with her safety and her fortune.

Part II: The Misplaced Rage in Antipolo

The second tragedy involved Caniz Minica Semeña (29), an OFW and aspiring content creator, who was fatally assaulted in her sister’s exclusive subdivision home in Antipolo City in December 2023.

The crime was not motivated by financial gain but by a shocking act of misdirected rage.

The perpetrator was Art Villacastin Tondo, a former carpenter of Caniz’s brother-in-law, Jose. Jose had fired Art due to his substance use issues and increasingly erratic behavior.

On December 21, 2023, Art, reportedly under the influence of alcohol and illegal substances, forcibly entered the house looking for his ex-girlfriend, Mary Ann (Jose’s former partner), who had broken up with him due to his abuse and constant threats.

When Art could not find Mary Ann, he encountered Caniz, who was alone in the house.

In a savage burst of misdirected anger, Art brutally assaulted Caniz, inflicting multiple wounds that caused her immediate loss of life. He stole only her cellphone before fleeing.

Caniz’s sister, upon discovering the body, was devastated. Jose (the brother-in-law) confirmed he had fired Art and was aware of his substance use problem.

The murder’s non-financial motive was clear: Art was driven by revenge and frustration over his broken relationship with Mary Ann, taking his rage out on the innocent Caniz.

Police tracked the stolen cellphone to Mandaluyong and quickly arrested Art Villacastin Tondo at a construction site. He immediately confessed, claiming he was drunk and angered by his situation.

Art was charged with homicide and is currently awaiting sentencing. The two stories serve as a devastating reminder that intimate betrayal and unchecked greed can lead to the most unimaginable familial violence.