Maltese in Philippines high profile murder-suicide case

Bernaldez was shot dead by her estranged lover, Joseph Cardona, who then killed himself, in a subdivision in Mandaue City.

The Australian Federal Immigration office clarified that Cardona is a Maltese national from Sliema with an address in Melbourne, Australia. Records showed he held a Maltese passport.

Police said Cardona used a .22 revolver in shooting Bernaldez in Barangay Cabancalan in Mandaue City.

After killing the fashion designer, Cardona shot himself in the head.

According to an autopsy report, a bullet was recovered from Bernaldez nose.

Chief Insp. Joe Martin Fuentes, who conducted the autopsy, said he also found a hematoma, a mass of clotted blood, in the victim's scalp.

Fuentes, the medico-legal officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory 7, said Bernaldez was possibly struck with a hard object, causing the hematoma.

The injury could also have resulted when the victim fell on the floor, Fuentes said in a phone interview.

The BI 7, Madarang said, has not received any communication from anyone interested to claim Cardona's remains, remained at the Cebu Rolling Hills Memorial Chapels on A.S. Fortuna in Mandaue City.

Cardona first arrived in the Philippines on July 5, 2007 via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Cardona, who possessed a visa which was valid for 59 days, left the Philippines on Aug. 11, 2007 also through NAIA.

Madarang said Cardona returned to the Philippines on Dec. 1, 2009 on board Philippine Airlines flight PR-212, and left for abroad again last Jan. 22.

Last Jan. 27, or five days later, 53-year-old Cardona went back to the Philippines and has since stayed in the country.

Madarang said that between Dec. 1, 2009 and Dec. 17, Cardona was only abroad for five days between Jan. 22 and Jan. 27, 2011.

He added that according to their records, Cardona had no criminal record and no complaints against him during his stay in Cebu.

In an earlier report, police said Bernaldez and Cardona had a fight two weeks ago, which led to Cardona physically hurting the designer.

Bernaldez went to the Mandaue City District Hospital to have her injuries treated. She asked the hospital to issue a medical report should she decide to file a case against Cardona.

About three months ago, police said, Bernaldez also went to the Casuntingan Police Station to report that one of her helpers may have stolen something from her and alleged that she was being physically battered by Cardona. She did not file a formal complaint.