Man admits stabbing Aberdeen sailor to death in the Philippines

John MacDonald: Merchant Navy seaman was killed in the Philippines in 2010.© STV

A man has admitted killing a north-east sailor in the Philippines.

Merchant Navy sailor John MacDonald, 27, from Aberdeen, was killed in the Asian country on September 5, 2010.

Anselmo Lacostales, 29, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of homicide at a court in the country's capital, Manila – before offering his apologies to Mr MacDonald’s family – on Wednesday.

Mr MacDonald’s mother, Joanne, from Fraserburgh, said: "I was told Anselmo bowed his head and said 'I am sorry, I apologise, I never meant or planned for this to happen'. He wanted me to know that.

"It means a lot to me. I do not think he really meant to kill John. Part of me feels he is a victim in this too. His life is also ruined.

"Prison in the Philippines is a hideous place and plagued by gang warfare. It will not be easy for him there."

Mrs MacDonald’s lawyer – who was representing the family in the Philippines - added: "Mr Lacostales did apologise. We did not expect that.

"I have rarely seen such an incident of the accused approaching the family of the offended parties to say he was sincerely sorry. I was personally quite impressed. I saw in his eyes his sincerity."

Mr MacDonald, a second mate in the Merchant Navy, met Nanqueen Romero in Singapore while on holiday and months later, flew over to her home in the Philippines to visit her after she claimed she was pregnant with his child.

Ms Romero said Lacostales attacked her when she told him she planned to marry John.

She then said Lacostales turned the knife on Mr MacDonald when he tried to break up the fight.

Lacostales allegedly went into hiding after the killing, but was eventually found living with Ms Romero, who eventually dropped her charges against him.

The lawyer acting for Mr MacDonald’s mother said medical reports revealed there was no proof that Ms Romero was pregnant.

Mrs MacDonald added: "It has been the weirdest, longest, most difficult path. I can't help but feel that if John had never met Nanqueen he would still be here."

Lacostales faces a jail term stretching from 12 to 20 years. A date for sentencing will be set later.

People who read this story also read