Japanese tries suicide after stabbing son

A Japanese who came to the country 12 years ago for a failed garbage business partnership with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) tried to kill his 10-year-old son yesterday in Makati City before attempting suicide.

"I love you,I love you. I will follow."

Hirofumi Tachikawa, 66, of Tokyo, Japan, uttered these words according to his seriously wounded son as the latter lay in the arms of his father at about 10 a.m. inside their home in Palanan, Makati City. The timely arrival of the boy’s Filipina mother, Lucilia, saved him from his father’s deadly misery.

Lucilia, 31, is now in a state of shock while her husband and son Hirofumi Jr. are under observation at the Philippine General Hospital. Police said the two victims were conscious and were able to talk when visited at the hospital but the businessman would not speak to investigators.

Investigator on case Police Officer 2 Juancho Ibis said the incident happened about 10 a.m. inside the Tachikawas’ rented apartment in Palanan, Makati. Ibis described the home as "a typical Filipino home."

Hirofumi left a three-page suicide note handwritten on his son’s elementary pad explaining his decision to kill his son and himself.

"They do not seem to be well-off, Japanese homes are usually very clean and have complete furnishings. Theirs is very ordinary," said Ibis.

The investigator said when Lucilia chanced upon her bloodied son and husband, the latter punched her, then ran, and locked himself up in the bathroom where he slashed both his wrists and throat. Neighbors later came after Lucilia’s cry for help and forced open the bathroom and took the businessman to the hospital on board a police car that later arrived. The boy told police at the hospital that his father simply just stabbed him in the right temple and chest. Police recovered a chisel, which they believe was used in stabbing the boy and the kitchen knife used in the attempted suicide.

"I don’t want Hiro (boy’s nickname) to become like street children, I don’t want to see him starve. No future for him here if I cannot be with him so I will bring him to heaven with me," stated the letter. "Very sorry Lucilia my wife I will bring Hiro with me, you are the best wife in the world. You loved us and sacrificed what you can. All of you are (of) good heart. Hope goodluck to you all."

The businessman further said that he is "exhausted" and apologized to everybody in his letter and explained that he could no longer wait for the money remittances of his friends in Japan. The elder Hirofumi also made mention of former MMDA chairman, current Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, and former MMDA general manager for operations Gary Cayton who may help in the expenses for his burial. The Japanese also gave the phone number of one Bong Nespral.