MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police announced the arrest of a suspect in the murder of Subic businessman Dominic Lim Sytin during a press conference on Monday morning.
“From all indications, this high profile murder was apparently motivated by the rivalry among corporate siblings and carried out through gun for hire contract with a hitman,” Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, said during the press conference.
Sytin was the founder and chief executive officer of United Auctioneers Inc., an auctioneer of used trucks and heavy equipment in Subic. He also owned ACEA Subic Bay Resort.
Police named the victim’s brother Dennis Sytin, the current chief operating officer of UAI, as the alleged mastermind.
Gunman nabbed in Batangas
The suspected gunman Edgardo Luib, was arrested in Santo Tomas, Batangas, on March 5 at the home of his live-in partner. This was the police’s second attempt to arrest Luib as he was not in his known address in Imus, Cavite, where police initially tried to arrest the suspect.
“We strongly believe this is the same person who killed dominic sytin outside Lighthouse Hotel [in Olongapo City],” Albayalde added.
Sytin was murdered in front of the hotel last November, while his bodyguard Efren Espartero was wounded.
READ: Trader shot dead in Subic
In addition to charges in the Sytin killing, Albayalde said he is also wanted on two outstanding warrants of arrest in Batangas.
According to police, two .45 bullets and nine cartridges recovered from the crime scene matched with Sytin’s .45 Norinco pistol that was confiscated from the suspect.
Also confiscated from Luib were a .30 carbine, .40 pistol and a “large sachet” of marijuana.
“Luib's fingerprints standard also matched from the latent prints lifted from side mirror from Yamaha Mio motorcycle used in the shooting,” Albayalde added.
He said Luib has already executed an extrajudicial confession detailing his participation and the co-conspirators of Dennis Sytin.
Police believe the case is “airtight” and will file charges against Luib and those who conspired in the murder of Dominic Sytin. — Ryan Macasero