Lawmen confident of arresting suspects in Betti Sy slay case

Authorities expect to arrest all suspects in the kidnapping and murder of Coca-Cola Export Corp. finance manager Betti Chua Sy after a sister of her driver surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Maria Editha Demol, sister of Sy’s driver Mario Demol, promised to lead authorities to the other suspects despite threats to her family.

"Nakahanda po ako tumulong para mahuli sila (kidnappers) kahit na tinakot nila ako na papatayin ang pamilya ko," she told reporters.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said Edith was fetched from Cagayan de Oro City by NBI agents led by lawyer Ruel Lasala.

Editha, a resident of Trece Martires City in Cavite, admitted being present during a series of meetings of the kidnappers, he added.

Retired Gen. Angelo Reyes, National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force chief, said the mastermind of the kidnapping remains at large. Six of the 15 suspects have been arrested, he added.

Investigators said Editha was introduced to the suspects last Nov. 2 They included Junior Macanip of Jaro, Leyte; Baby Tamayo, and a certain Tatang.

The suspects were later introduced to Mario when he visited Editha in Cavite.

It was during a drinking spree when Mario unwittingly disclosed that he was employed with Chua Sy’s company.

Several days later, the suspects asked Edith about Mario’s workplace, after which they visited Mario a number of times.

Last Nov. 17, Macanip asked Editha to meet him and the other suspects at the gate of her subdivision so the guards would allow them in.

Editha admitted to Lasala that she was one of those who wrapped Chua Sy’s body, but that she did not know that she was already dead. — Cecille Suerte Felipe