Murder of Jane Parangan La Puebla (2005): Difference between revisions

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[[File:Murder of Jane La Puebla.jpg|thumb|''Jane La Puebla (left) and her killer, Guen Garlejo Aguilar (right). Photo from [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/guilty-as-charged-filipino-maid-guen-garlejo-aguilar-strangled-best-friend The Straits Times].'']]
[[File:Murder of Jane La Puebla.jpg|thumb|''Jane La Puebla (left) and her killer, Guen Garlejo Aguilar (right). Photo from [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/guilty-as-charged-filipino-maid-guen-garlejo-aguilar-strangled-best-friend The Straits Times].'']]
In September 2005, two bags containing dismembered human body parts were found at two locations in Singapore - Orchard Road and MacRitchie Reservoir. The body parts belonged to Jane Parangan La Puebla, a 26-year-old domestic helper from the Philippines. The discoveries prompted a murder investigation that led to the conviction of 29-year-old Guen Garlejo Aguilar.
In September 2005, two bags containing dismembered human body parts were found at two locations in Singapore - Orchard Road and MacRitchie Reservoir. The body parts belonged to Jane Parangan La Puebla, a 26-year-old domestic helper from the Philippines. The discoveries prompted a murder investigation that led to the conviction of 29-year-old Guen Garlejo Aguilar.
==Background==
==Background==
[[File:Orchard Road Body Parts.jpg|thumb|''The bagged remains found near Orchard MRT station. Photo from [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/guilty-as-charged-filipino-maid-guen-garlejo-aguilar-strangled-best-friend The Straits Times].'']]
[[File:Orchard Road Body Parts.jpg|thumb|''The bagged remains found near Orchard MRT station. Photo from [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/guilty-as-charged-filipino-maid-guen-garlejo-aguilar-strangled-best-friend The Straits Times].'']]
The 2005 murder case involved two Filipino women who were then working as domestic helpers in Singapore. Despite speculations that the two were involved in a supposed “love triangle”, they were believed to have been close friends.<ref name=":0">Ng, Ansley. "[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20050912-1.2.3?ST=1&AT=filter&K=Jane%20Parangan%20La%20Puebla&KA=Jane%20Parangan%20La%20Puebla&DF=&DT=&Display=0&AO=true&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=&QT=jane,parangan,la,puebla&oref=article Body-parts murder: Did maid kill, dismember her rival in love?]". ''TODAY''. September 12, 2005. Accessed on 15 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>Loh Chee Kong. "They liked Orchard Towers' tea dances [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''TODAY''. September 14, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>Shahriya Yahaya. "Suspect and victim were 'as close as sisters' [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''The Straits Times''. September 12, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> According to a news report by ''TODAY'', Guen Garlejo Aguilar described her victim as:<blockquote>“... a 'highly reliable' friend one could 'really confide in and share all her deepest thoughts and concerns with'.”<ref name=":1">Teo Xuanwei. "[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20060519-1.2.9.3?ST=1&AT=filter&K=Jane%20Parangan%20La%20Puebla&KA=Jane%20Parangan%20La%20Puebla&DF=&DT=&Display=0&AO=true&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=&QT=jane,parangan,la,puebla&oref=articl She killed friend over loanshark debt]". ''TODAY''. May 19, 2006. Accessed on 15 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref></blockquote>When La Puebla turned to Aguilar for financial help, the latter obliged; loaning her $1,000 from her savings and borrowing another $1,000 from a friend.<ref name=":1" /> In court, it was argued that the pressure arising from this financial situation was the main motive for the crime.<ref name=":2">"[https://www.supremecourt.gov.sg/docs/default-source/module-document/judgement/2006-sghc-94.pdf Public Prosecutor v Aguilar Guen Garlejo]". ''Supreme Court Singapore''. Accessed on 15 September 2020.</ref> The following are the profiles of the victim and the perpetrator.
The 2005 murder case involved two Filipino women who were then working as domestic helpers in Singapore. Despite speculations that the two were involved in a supposed “love triangle”, they were believed to have been close friends.<ref name=":0">Ng, Ansley. "[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20050912-1.2.3?ST=1&AT=filter&K=Jane%20Parangan%20La%20Puebla&KA=Jane%20Parangan%20La%20Puebla&DF=&DT=&Display=0&AO=true&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=&QT=jane,parangan,la,puebla&oref=article Body-parts murder: Did maid kill, dismember her rival in love?]". ''TODAY''. September 12, 2005. Accessed on 15 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>Loh Chee Kong. "They liked Orchard Towers' tea dances [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''TODAY''. September 14, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>Shahriya Yahaya. "Suspect and victim were 'as close as sisters' [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''The Straits Times''. September 12, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> According to a news report by ''TODAY'', Guen Garlejo Aguilar described her victim as:<blockquote>“... a 'highly reliable' friend one could 'really confide in and share all her deepest thoughts and concerns with'.”<ref name=":1">Teo Xuanwei. "[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20060519-1.2.9.3?ST=1&AT=filter&K=Jane%20Parangan%20La%20Puebla&KA=Jane%20Parangan%20La%20Puebla&DF=&DT=&Display=0&AO=true&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=&QT=jane,parangan,la,puebla&oref=articl She killed friend over loanshark debt]". ''TODAY''. May 19, 2006. Accessed on 15 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref></blockquote>When La Puebla turned to Aguilar for financial help, the latter obliged; loaning her $1,000 from her savings and borrowing another $1,000 from a friend.<ref name=":1" /> In court, it was argued that the pressure arising from this financial situation was the main motive for the crime.<ref name=":2">"[https://www.supremecourt.gov.sg/docs/default-source/module-document/judgement/2006-sghc-94.pdf Public Prosecutor v Aguilar Guen Garlejo]". ''Supreme Court Singapore''. Accessed on 15 September 2020.</ref> The following are the profiles of the victim and the perpetrator.
===Jane Parangan La Puebla===
===Jane Parangan La Puebla===
Jane Parangan La Puebla was a 26-year-old female from Nueva Viscaya in Central Luzon, Philippines. At the time of her death, she was married to Crusaldo La Puebla with whom she had a child.<ref name=":3">Ng, Ansley. "[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20050923-2.2.8.8?ST=1&AT=search&k=Guen+Garlejo+Aguilar&P=2&Display=0&filterS=0&QT=guen,garlejo,aguilar&oref=article Tearful accused maid meets lawyers]". ''TODAY''. September 23, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Jane Parangan La Puebla’s body was flown back to the Philippines on 2 October 2005.<ref name=":0" />
Jane Parangan La Puebla was a 26-year-old female from Nueva Vizcaya in Northern Luzon, Philippines. At the time of her death, she was married to Crusaldo La Puebla with whom she had a child.<ref name=":3">Ng, Ansley. "[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20050923-2.2.8.8?ST=1&AT=search&k=Guen+Garlejo+Aguilar&P=2&Display=0&filterS=0&QT=guen,garlejo,aguilar&oref=article Tearful accused maid meets lawyers]". ''TODAY''. September 23, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Jane Parangan La Puebla’s body was flown back to the Philippines on 2 October 2005.<ref name=":0" />
 
===Guen Garlejo Aguilar===
===Guen Garlejo Aguilar===
Guen Garlejo Aguilar was 29 years old when she killed Jane Parangan La Puebla. She is a native of Ilocos Sur in Northern Luzon, Philippines. At the time of the crime, she was married to Edwin Aguilar with whom she had two children.<ref name=":0" /><ref>"Suspect's husband arrives; 2 sons left in his mum's care [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''The Straits Times''. September 16, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Guen Garlejo Aguilar was charged in court for murder on 11 September 2005.<ref>ASEANPLUSNEWS. "[https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2005/09/16/filipino-maid-charged-with-murder-in-singapore-meets-lawyer-husband Filipino maid charged with murder in Singapore meets lawyer, husband]". ''The Star''. September 16, 2005. Accessed on 15 September 2020.</ref>
Guen Garlejo Aguilar was 29 years old when she killed Jane Parangan La Puebla. She is a native of Ilocos Sur in Northern Luzon, Philippines. At the time of the crime, she was married to Edwin Aguilar with whom she had two children.<ref name=":0" /><ref>"Suspect's husband arrives; 2 sons left in his mum's care [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''The Straits Times''. September 16, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Guen Garlejo Aguilar was charged in court for murder on 11 September 2005.<ref>ASEANPLUSNEWS. "[https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2005/09/16/filipino-maid-charged-with-murder-in-singapore-meets-lawyer-husband Filipino maid charged with murder in Singapore meets lawyer, husband]". ''The Star''. September 16, 2005. Accessed on 15 September 2020.</ref>
==Timeline of murder==
==Timeline of murder==
Guen Garlejo Aguilar killed Jane Parangan La Puebla on 7 September 2005. The friends were cooking together at Aguilar’s employers' apartment when they started fighting over the $2,000 that La Puebla owed her. Aguilar then strangled La Puebla to death and hid her body in a suitcase for the next two days.<ref name=":4">Teo Xuanwei. "[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20060426-1.2.5.2?ST=1&AT=search&k=Jane%20Parangan%20La%20Puebla&QT=jane,parangan,la,puebla&oref=article Maid's murder charge reduced to manslaughter]". ''TODAY''. April 26, 2006. Accessed on 15 September 2020.</ref> La Puebla’s employers filed a missing persons report on 8 September 2005.<ref name=":2" /> The next day, Aguilar bought the following items from Mustafa Shopping Centre:
Guen Garlejo Aguilar killed Jane Parangan La Puebla on 7 September 2005. The friends were cooking together at Aguilar’s employers' apartment when they started fighting over the $2,000 that La Puebla owed her. Aguilar then strangled La Puebla to death and hid her body in a suitcase for the next two days.<ref name=":4">Teo Xuanwei. "[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20060426-1.2.5.2?ST=1&AT=search&k=Jane%20Parangan%20La%20Puebla&QT=jane,parangan,la,puebla&oref=article Maid's murder charge reduced to manslaughter]". ''TODAY''. April 26, 2006. Accessed on 15 September 2020.</ref> La Puebla’s employers filed a missing persons report on 8 September 2005.<ref name=":2" /> The next day, Aguilar bought the following items from Mustafa Shopping Centre:
  Chopper, axe, canvas, latex gloves, green wallpaper, detergent, bed sheets, pillowcases and garbage bags.<ref name=":1" />
  Chopper, axe, canvas, latex gloves, green wallpaper, detergent, bed sheets, pillowcases and garbage bags.<ref name=":1" />
She then dismembered La Puebla’s body in her employer's apartment before disposing of the parts at Orchard Road and MacRitchie Reservoir.
She then dismembered La Puebla’s body in her employer's apartment before disposing of the parts at Orchard Road and MacRitchie Reservoir.
==Discovery of body parts==
==Discovery of body parts==
===Body parts at Orchard Road===
===Body parts at Orchard Road===
[[File:La Puebla Murder Buddhist Monk prayers.jpg|thumb|''Monks at the site where Jane La Puebla's remains were found. Photo from [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/guilty-as-charged-filipino-maid-guen-garlejo-aguilar-strangled-best-friend The Straits Times].'']]
[[File:La Puebla Murder Buddhist Monk prayers.jpg|thumb|''Monks at the site where Jane La Puebla's remains were found. Photo from [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/guilty-as-charged-filipino-maid-guen-garlejo-aguilar-strangled-best-friend The Straits Times].'']]
On 9 September 2005, a street cleaner by the name of Maria Yee Marutham discovered a severed human head and limbs in an unattended sports bag near Orchard Road MRT station.<ref name=":5">"[https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/guilty-as-charged-filipino-maid-guen-garlejo-aguilar-strangled-best-friend Guilty As Charged: Filipino maid Guen Garlejo Aguilar strangled best friend over $2,000]". ''The Straits Times''. May 17, 2016. Accessed on 15 September 2020.</ref> The head had been put into a red plastic bag while the arms and legs were stashed in two separate plastic bags.<ref>ASEANPLUSNEWS. "[https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2005/09/10/body-parts-found-near-mrt-station-and-reservoir-park Body parts found near MRT station and reservoir park]". ''The Star''. September 10, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020.</ref> A bite mark on one of the severed arms would later be found to match Guen Garlejo Aguilar’s dental records.<ref>"Bite mark on severed arm matched killer’s teeth [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''The Straits Times''. October 22, 2011. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> The sports bag was found in the early afternoon.<ref name=":2" />
On 9 September 2005, a street cleaner by the name of Maria Yee Marutham discovered a severed human head and limbs in an unattended sports bag near Orchard Road MRT station.<ref name=":5">"[https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/guilty-as-charged-filipino-maid-guen-garlejo-aguilar-strangled-best-friend Guilty As Charged: Filipino maid Guen Garlejo Aguilar strangled best friend over $2,000]". ''The Straits Times''. May 17, 2016. Accessed on 15 September 2020.</ref> The head had been put into a red plastic bag while the arms and legs were stashed in two separate plastic bags.<ref>ASEANPLUSNEWS. "[https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2005/09/10/body-parts-found-near-mrt-station-and-reservoir-park Body parts found near MRT station and reservoir park]". ''The Star''. September 10, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020.</ref> A bite mark on one of the severed arms would later be found to match Guen Garlejo Aguilar’s dental records.<ref>"Bite mark on severed arm matched killer’s teeth [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''The Straits Times''. October 22, 2011. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> The sports bag was found in the early afternoon.<ref name=":2" />
===Body parts at MacRitchie Reservoir===
===Body parts at MacRitchie Reservoir===
[[File:MacRitchie Reservoir Body Parts.jpg|thumb|''The bagged remains found at MacRitchie Reservoir. Photo from [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/guilty-as-charged-filipino-maid-guen-garlejo-aguilar-strangled-best-friend The Straits Times].'']]
[[File:MacRitchie Reservoir Body Parts.jpg|thumb|''The bagged remains found at MacRitchie Reservoir. Photo from [https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/guilty-as-charged-filipino-maid-guen-garlejo-aguilar-strangled-best-friend The Straits Times].'']]
Line 28: Line 21:
  ... a copy of the International Herald Tribune on which was affixed the label: “Mr Prakash Mallya #08-23 Sunglade 9 Serangoon Ave 2”.<ref name=":2" />
  ... a copy of the International Herald Tribune on which was affixed the label: “Mr Prakash Mallya #08-23 Sunglade 9 Serangoon Ave 2”.<ref name=":2" />
Following this discovery, the Singapore police found Guen Garlejo Aguilar at her employer’s house in Serangoon. Guen Garlejo Aguilar was arrested in the early hours of 10 September 2005 at Sunglade Condominium along Serangoon Avenue 2 despite initially denying her involvement.<ref name=":5" />
Following this discovery, the Singapore police found Guen Garlejo Aguilar at her employer’s house in Serangoon. Guen Garlejo Aguilar was arrested in the early hours of 10 September 2005 at Sunglade Condominium along Serangoon Avenue 2 despite initially denying her involvement.<ref name=":5" />
==Court trial==
==Court trial==
Guen Garlejo Aguilar’s murder charge was reduced to a manslaughter charge at a preliminary inquiry in April 2006<ref name=":4" /> on the grounds of diminished responsibility.<ref>"[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20070320-2.2.9.5?ST=1&AT=search&k=Guen%20Garlejo%20Aguilar&QT=guen,garlejo,aguilar&oref=article A LOOK BACK AT OTHER CASES]". ''TODAY''. March 20, 2007. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>"[https://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Crime/Story/A1Story20120403-337375.html Other gruesome murders that took place in Singapore]". ''The New Paper''. April 4, 2012. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from AsiaOne.</ref> She was diagnosed with masked depression by the case's state-appointed psychiatrist, Dr Tommy Tan.<ref>"Killer holds sister's hand, fights back tears [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''The New Paper''. May 19, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Aguilar’s trial started on 15 May 2006. During the trial, Dr Tommy Tan presented a testimony stating that Aguilar was unlikely to commit another offence and that the Mayor of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur (Aguilar's hometown) had pledged to give social and counselling support to Aguilar when she returns to the Philippines.<ref name=":6">Ng, Ansley. "[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20060530-1.2.8.1?ST=1&AT=search&k=Guen+Garlejo+Aguilar&P=2&Display=0&filterS=0&QT=guen,garlejo,aguilar&oref=article Bodies chopped – but each case is different]". ''TODAY''. May 30, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Aguilar was represented by a legal team from Harry Elias Partnership that was led by Shashi Nathan.<ref name=":3" />  
Guen Garlejo Aguilar’s murder charge was reduced to a manslaughter charge at a preliminary inquiry in April 2006<ref name=":4" /> on the grounds of diminished responsibility.<ref>"[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20070320-2.2.9.5?ST=1&AT=search&k=Guen%20Garlejo%20Aguilar&QT=guen,garlejo,aguilar&oref=article A LOOK BACK AT OTHER CASES]". ''TODAY''. March 20, 2007. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>"[https://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Crime/Story/A1Story20120403-337375.html Other gruesome murders that took place in Singapore]". ''The New Paper''. April 4, 2012. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from AsiaOne.</ref> She was diagnosed with masked depression by the case's state-appointed psychiatrist, Dr Tommy Tan.<ref>"Killer holds sister's hand, fights back tears [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''The New Paper''. May 19, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Aguilar’s trial started on 15 May 2006. During the trial, Dr Tommy Tan presented a testimony stating that Aguilar was unlikely to commit another offence and that the Mayor of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur (Aguilar's hometown) had pledged to give social and counselling support to Aguilar when she returns to the Philippines.<ref name=":6">Ng, Ansley. "[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20060530-1.2.8.1?ST=1&AT=search&k=Guen+Garlejo+Aguilar&P=2&Display=0&filterS=0&QT=guen,garlejo,aguilar&oref=article Bodies chopped – but each case is different]". ''TODAY''. May 30, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Aguilar was represented by a legal team from Harry Elias Partnership that was led by Shashi Nathan.<ref name=":3" />
 
===Sentencing===
===Sentencing===
On 29 May 2006, Guen Garlejo Aguilar was sentenced to 10 years' jail for manslaughter.<ref>"Guen Garlejo Aguilar Maid". ''The Straits Times''. June 4, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>"I'll take her back with all my heart [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''The New Paper''. May 30, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Justice VK Rajah, the presiding judge of the case, noted that Aguilar's moral judgement was likely to have been tampered by her prevailing mental illness, leading her to inhumanely dismember the deceased. He says:<blockquote>"(her decision to plant to body parts in) two very public places... strikes one as incoherent and incomprehensible. It would be fair to infer that her prevailing illness was in all likelihood severely exacerbated after she killed the deceased."<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>
On 29 May 2006, Guen Garlejo Aguilar was sentenced to 10 years' jail for manslaughter.<ref>"Guen Garlejo Aguilar Maid". ''The Straits Times''. June 4, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>"I'll take her back with all my heart [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". ''The New Paper''. May 30, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Justice VK Rajah, the presiding judge of the case, noted that Aguilar's moral judgement was likely to have been tampered by her prevailing mental illness, leading her to inhumanely dismember the deceased. He says:<blockquote>"(her decision to plant to body parts in) two very public places... strikes one as incoherent and incomprehensible. It would be fair to infer that her prevailing illness was in all likelihood severely exacerbated after she killed the deceased."<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>
==Media coverage==
==Media coverage==
Since making the headline news in 2005, the murder has also been featured on MediaCorp's ''Crimewatch'' television series and more recently, on MustShare News' Facebook platform.
Since making the headline news in 2005, the murder has also been featured on MediaCorp's ''Crimewatch'' television series and more recently, on MustShare News' Facebook platform.
===MustShareNews (2020)===
===MustShareNews (2020)===
Posted on 25 February 2020, the three-minute Facebook video titled 'The Domestic Helper Murder' has received over 3.5 million views as of 18 September 2020.<ref>MustShare News. "[https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=177045463742142 Most Daring Crimes In Singapore: The Domestic Helper Murder]". ''Facebook''. February 25, 2020. Accessed on 18 September 2020.</ref> The video was published as a part of MustShare News' ongoing series, ''Most Daring Crimes''.
Posted on 25 February 2020, the three-minute Facebook video titled 'The Domestic Helper Murder' has received over 3.5 million views as of 18 September 2020.<ref>MustShare News. "[https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=177045463742142 Most Daring Crimes In Singapore: The Domestic Helper Murder]". ''Facebook''. February 25, 2020. Accessed on 18 September 2020.</ref> The video was published as a part of MustShare News' ongoing series, ''Most Daring Crimes''.
<div style="display:flex; justify-content:space-around; flex-wrap: wrap;"><div><youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmMNB-mcNO4</youtube></div></div>
<div style="display:flex; justify-content:space-around; flex-wrap: wrap;"><div><youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmMNB-mcNO4</youtube></div></div>
===Crimewatch (2006)===
===Crimewatch (2006)===
The murder case was featured in Episode 5 of ''Crimewatch'' which aired on 27 July 2006.<ref>Channel 5. "[https://www.mewatch.sg/en/series/crimewatch-2006/ep5/411156 Crimewatch 2006 - EP5]". ''meWATCH''. July 27, 2006. Accessed on 18 September 2020.</ref> Dubbed the 'Orchard Rd Body Parts Murder', the episode provided several re-enactments of the crime and a timeline of the investigations that followed. ''Crimewatch'' is a docu-drama series that showcases the crimes solved by the Singapore Police Force. The show was televised on Channel 5.
The murder case was featured in Episode 5 of ''Crimewatch'' which aired on 27 July 2006.<ref>Channel 5. "[https://www.mewatch.sg/en/series/crimewatch-2006/ep5/411156 Crimewatch 2006 - EP5]". ''meWATCH''. July 27, 2006. Accessed on 18 September 2020.</ref> Dubbed the 'Orchard Rd Body Parts Murder', the episode provided several re-enactments of the crime and a timeline of the investigations that followed. ''Crimewatch'' is a docu-drama series that showcases the crimes solved by the Singapore Police Force. The show was televised on Channel 5.
==References/ Citations==
==References/ Citations==
[[Category:Newsworthy Incidents]]
[[Category:Newsworthy Incidents]]
<references />
<references />

Latest revision as of 09:02, 27 October 2022

Jane La Puebla (left) and her killer, Guen Garlejo Aguilar (right). Photo from The Straits Times.

In September 2005, two bags containing dismembered human body parts were found at two locations in Singapore - Orchard Road and MacRitchie Reservoir. The body parts belonged to Jane Parangan La Puebla, a 26-year-old domestic helper from the Philippines. The discoveries prompted a murder investigation that led to the conviction of 29-year-old Guen Garlejo Aguilar.

Background

The bagged remains found near Orchard MRT station. Photo from The Straits Times.

The 2005 murder case involved two Filipino women who were then working as domestic helpers in Singapore. Despite speculations that the two were involved in a supposed “love triangle”, they were believed to have been close friends.[1][2][3] According to a news report by TODAY, Guen Garlejo Aguilar described her victim as:

“... a 'highly reliable' friend one could 'really confide in and share all her deepest thoughts and concerns with'.”[4]

When La Puebla turned to Aguilar for financial help, the latter obliged; loaning her $1,000 from her savings and borrowing another $1,000 from a friend.[4] In court, it was argued that the pressure arising from this financial situation was the main motive for the crime.[5] The following are the profiles of the victim and the perpetrator.

Jane Parangan La Puebla

Jane Parangan La Puebla was a 26-year-old female from Nueva Vizcaya in Northern Luzon, Philippines. At the time of her death, she was married to Crusaldo La Puebla with whom she had a child.[6] Jane Parangan La Puebla’s body was flown back to the Philippines on 2 October 2005.[1]

Guen Garlejo Aguilar

Guen Garlejo Aguilar was 29 years old when she killed Jane Parangan La Puebla. She is a native of Ilocos Sur in Northern Luzon, Philippines. At the time of the crime, she was married to Edwin Aguilar with whom she had two children.[1][7] Guen Garlejo Aguilar was charged in court for murder on 11 September 2005.[8]

Timeline of murder

Guen Garlejo Aguilar killed Jane Parangan La Puebla on 7 September 2005. The friends were cooking together at Aguilar’s employers' apartment when they started fighting over the $2,000 that La Puebla owed her. Aguilar then strangled La Puebla to death and hid her body in a suitcase for the next two days.[9] La Puebla’s employers filed a missing persons report on 8 September 2005.[5] The next day, Aguilar bought the following items from Mustafa Shopping Centre:

Chopper, axe, canvas, latex gloves, green wallpaper, detergent, bed sheets, pillowcases and garbage bags.[4]

She then dismembered La Puebla’s body in her employer's apartment before disposing of the parts at Orchard Road and MacRitchie Reservoir.

Discovery of body parts

Body parts at Orchard Road

Monks at the site where Jane La Puebla's remains were found. Photo from The Straits Times.

On 9 September 2005, a street cleaner by the name of Maria Yee Marutham discovered a severed human head and limbs in an unattended sports bag near Orchard Road MRT station.[10] The head had been put into a red plastic bag while the arms and legs were stashed in two separate plastic bags.[11] A bite mark on one of the severed arms would later be found to match Guen Garlejo Aguilar’s dental records.[12] The sports bag was found in the early afternoon.[5]

Body parts at MacRitchie Reservoir

The bagged remains found at MacRitchie Reservoir. Photo from The Straits Times.

On 10 September 2005, a passer-by came across a ‘World Polo’ suitcase at MacRitchie reservoir containing a human torso.[10] According to a court document, the bag also contained:

... a copy of the International Herald Tribune on which was affixed the label: “Mr Prakash Mallya #08-23 Sunglade 9 Serangoon Ave 2”.[5]

Following this discovery, the Singapore police found Guen Garlejo Aguilar at her employer’s house in Serangoon. Guen Garlejo Aguilar was arrested in the early hours of 10 September 2005 at Sunglade Condominium along Serangoon Avenue 2 despite initially denying her involvement.[10]

Court trial

Guen Garlejo Aguilar’s murder charge was reduced to a manslaughter charge at a preliminary inquiry in April 2006[9] on the grounds of diminished responsibility.[13][14] She was diagnosed with masked depression by the case's state-appointed psychiatrist, Dr Tommy Tan.[15] Aguilar’s trial started on 15 May 2006. During the trial, Dr Tommy Tan presented a testimony stating that Aguilar was unlikely to commit another offence and that the Mayor of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur (Aguilar's hometown) had pledged to give social and counselling support to Aguilar when she returns to the Philippines.[16] Aguilar was represented by a legal team from Harry Elias Partnership that was led by Shashi Nathan.[6]

Sentencing

On 29 May 2006, Guen Garlejo Aguilar was sentenced to 10 years' jail for manslaughter.[17][18] Justice VK Rajah, the presiding judge of the case, noted that Aguilar's moral judgement was likely to have been tampered by her prevailing mental illness, leading her to inhumanely dismember the deceased. He says:

"(her decision to plant to body parts in) two very public places... strikes one as incoherent and incomprehensible. It would be fair to infer that her prevailing illness was in all likelihood severely exacerbated after she killed the deceased."[16]

Media coverage

Since making the headline news in 2005, the murder has also been featured on MediaCorp's Crimewatch television series and more recently, on MustShare News' Facebook platform.

MustShareNews (2020)

Posted on 25 February 2020, the three-minute Facebook video titled 'The Domestic Helper Murder' has received over 3.5 million views as of 18 September 2020.[19] The video was published as a part of MustShare News' ongoing series, Most Daring Crimes.

Crimewatch (2006)

The murder case was featured in Episode 5 of Crimewatch which aired on 27 July 2006.[20] Dubbed the 'Orchard Rd Body Parts Murder', the episode provided several re-enactments of the crime and a timeline of the investigations that followed. Crimewatch is a docu-drama series that showcases the crimes solved by the Singapore Police Force. The show was televised on Channel 5.

References/ Citations

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ng, Ansley. "Body-parts murder: Did maid kill, dismember her rival in love?". TODAY. September 12, 2005. Accessed on 15 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  2. Loh Chee Kong. "They liked Orchard Towers' tea dances [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". TODAY. September 14, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  3. Shahriya Yahaya. "Suspect and victim were 'as close as sisters' [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". The Straits Times. September 12, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Teo Xuanwei. "She killed friend over loanshark debt". TODAY. May 19, 2006. Accessed on 15 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Public Prosecutor v Aguilar Guen Garlejo". Supreme Court Singapore. Accessed on 15 September 2020.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Ng, Ansley. "Tearful accused maid meets lawyers". TODAY. September 23, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  7. "Suspect's husband arrives; 2 sons left in his mum's care [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". The Straits Times. September 16, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  8. ASEANPLUSNEWS. "Filipino maid charged with murder in Singapore meets lawyer, husband". The Star. September 16, 2005. Accessed on 15 September 2020.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Teo Xuanwei. "Maid's murder charge reduced to manslaughter". TODAY. April 26, 2006. Accessed on 15 September 2020.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Guilty As Charged: Filipino maid Guen Garlejo Aguilar strangled best friend over $2,000". The Straits Times. May 17, 2016. Accessed on 15 September 2020.
  11. ASEANPLUSNEWS. "Body parts found near MRT station and reservoir park". The Star. September 10, 2005. Accessed on 16 September 2020.
  12. "Bite mark on severed arm matched killer’s teeth [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". The Straits Times. October 22, 2011. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  13. "A LOOK BACK AT OTHER CASES". TODAY. March 20, 2007. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  14. "Other gruesome murders that took place in Singapore". The New Paper. April 4, 2012. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from AsiaOne.
  15. "Killer holds sister's hand, fights back tears [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". The New Paper. May 19, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Ng, Ansley. "Bodies chopped – but each case is different". TODAY. May 30, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  17. "Guen Garlejo Aguilar Maid". The Straits Times. June 4, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  18. "I'll take her back with all my heart [ARTICLE + ILLUSTRATION]". The New Paper. May 30, 2006. Accessed on 16 September 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  19. MustShare News. "Most Daring Crimes In Singapore: The Domestic Helper Murder". Facebook. February 25, 2020. Accessed on 18 September 2020.
  20. Channel 5. "Crimewatch 2006 - EP5". meWATCH. July 27, 2006. Accessed on 18 September 2020.