Last of Betti Sy kidnappers falls

All suspects in the 2003 kidnap-slaying of Coca-Cola executive Betti Chua-Sy have been accounted for after police arrested the 20th suspect during an operation made possible through the help of a concerned citizen.

Suspect Cesar Amado, 43, of Barangay Buri, Jaro, Leyte, was presented to media yesterday by Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao and Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) chief Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon.

Calderon said the arrest of Amado brings to 20 the total number of suspects arrested for the kidnap-slaying of Chua-Sy, whose body was found wrapped in a plastic garbage bag at a grassy area along Diosdado Macapagal Avenue in Parañaque City last Nov. 17, 2003.

"All suspects in the Betti Chua-Sy case have been accounted for. Amado was the one who drove the vehicle when Betti was abducted in Quezon City," he said.

Calderon said PACER received a phone call from a concerned citizen last Nov. 23, informing them that Amado was in Fairview, Quezon City.

Senior Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas was directed to immediately verify the information.

Bañas’ team confirmed the presence of Amado, who was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for kidnapping with homicide issued by Quezon City Judge Vivencio Baclig.

Apart from the kidnapping of Chua-Sy, Amado was also linked to the kidnapping of Victor Castañeda, Dr. Patrick Padilla, Dr. Margaret Dy, San Ik Jiang, Alfredo Chan, Franklin Ongsito, Jose Naga, all in 2003.

In 2002, Amado allegedly participated in the abduction of Antonio Tan, Imelda Bengson, Augusto Tony Manikis and Dr. Susan Nodado.

Two years ago, Chua-Sy, 32, was driving her Toyota RAV4 when her path was blocked by a car carrying a group of armed men in Quezon City. Several days later her body was found in Parañaque City.

Crime scene investigators said Chua-Sy was shot twice in her right leg and bled to death.

Chua-Sy, who graduated summa cum laude at the University of the Philippines, had been working as the commercial finance director of Coca-Cola Export Corp. when she was abducted.

"We have netted all 20 suspects. We remain steadfast in running after kidnapping-for-ransom gangs. We have stepped up the campaign against carnapping and carjacking. We will continue with our commitment to eliminate these threats," Reyes said.