Suspect in Sy slay captured

Elements of the Taguig municipal police have arrested a 43-year-old construction worker suspected to be a member of a gang that abducted and killed Coca-Cola executive Betti Sy last November.

Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble Jr., Southern Police District (SPD) director, presented to the media yesterday Danilo Artoza, 43, a native of Jaro, Leyte, and a resident of Lovebird street in Pembo, Makati City.

Artoza, according to a witness, was a part of the Waray-Waray group, Ali Albas, that planned and carried out the abduction of Sy in Quezon City. The group, however, bungled the kidnap-or-ransom after one of them shot Sy as she tried to escape. She later died due to extreme loss of blood.

Artoza, 43, did not resist arrest when members of the Police Community Precinct 3, led by Senior Inspector Eufronio Obong Jr. swooped down on his hideout at Purok 13, South Daang Hari, Barangay Bagong Tanyag, Taguig last Sunday morning.

"He would be turned over to the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTF)," Noble said.

In an interview, the suspect admitted knowing Albas and his alleged kidnap and robbery activities, but denied participating in any crime. "I came to know Albas because his relatives are my neighbors in Sta. Mesa, Manila, where I used to live."

Superintendent Jose Gentiles, SPD intelligence chief, said both Albas and Artoza knew each other, came from the same province and are both members of the Waray-Waray group.

"We are still conducting tactical interrogation, but so far we have noticed inconsistencies in his statements.

Meanwhile, Taguig Mayor Freddie Tiñga lauded the Taguig police for the arrest of another suspect in the kidnap-slay.

Taguig police chief, Superintendent Ramon Reyes said that upon tactical investigation, Artoza admitted his participation in the kidnap-slay.

Before his arrest, an informer tipped off the Taguig police about Artoza’s presence in Barangay Bagong Tanyag. Obong, together with PO3 Bernabe Vargas, PO2 Remegio Moscosa and PO2 Emmanuel Maglana, were immediately dispatched to the area. They collared the suspect at around 3:30 a.m.

Tiñga said that this is part of the local government and the Taguig police’s enhanced campaign against criminality encouraging people participation. "We need the help of the public and we are thankful that in Taguig, our constituents are helping out the local government and our police with vital information for the arrest of criminal elements," he said.