Dream Academy producer hacked to death

The executive producer of a popular ABS-CBN reality show was hacked to death early yesterday morning by a still unidentified suspect in his apartment in Quezon City.

Senior Police Officer 3 Rey Montefalcon, of Baler Police Substation 2, said Joselito "Joel" Siervo, 38, executive producer of the show "Pinoy Dream Academy" was attacked in his rented apartment at 77-E Abad Santos St., Heroes’ Hill Subdivision in Barangay Sta. Cruz.

Montefalcon said a naked Siervo was found dead on his bed at around 9 a.m. by his laundrywoman Nida Canaling. Siervo’s head was covered with a bloodstained bedsheet.

The victim suffered hack wounds in the nape, right leg and right shoulder. Police said there was no sign of forcible entry. According to relatives, the cell phone and other personal belongings of the victim were missing.

"Walang forced entry na nakita ako. Siguro kilala yung suspect (We did not see any signs of forced entry. Maybe he knew the suspect)," Montefalcon told The STAR.

Investigators said the victim arrived at his apartment from ABS-CBN at around 4 a.m.

Montefalcon said the suspect could have initially attacked Siervo near the front door as indicated by a pool of dried blood near the door. The suspect apparently washed his hands as indicated by bloodstains left on the kitchen sink.

Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, other celebrities and relatives of the victim arrived at Siervo’s house before noon.

Police are still uncertain of the motive of the killing but investigators believe that the victim opened the door and allowed the assailant to enter because there was no sign of forcible entry in the apartment.

Montefalcon said the suspect might have left a black baseball cap hanging on a steel chair at the victim’s room.

He said the neighbors and friends of Siervo told probers that the victim does not own a black baseball cap.

In a statement, ABS-CBN said "the company regrets the demise of our Kapamilya Joel Siervo."

"His unexpected and senseless passing brings great sorrow to us, his ABS-CBN family. We would like to request all our Kapamilya to join us in prayer and mourning for our beloved Joel," the network said.

Siervo’s remains lie in state at the Arlington Funeral Homes at Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.