Suspected TV exec’s killer seen on cam

The suspected killer of Joselito "Joel" Siervo, the executive producer of a popular ABS-CBN reality show Pinoy Dream Academy, may have been seen by a surveillance camera of a bank automated teller machine.

A source in the Quezon City police, who refused to be identified because he was not cleared to speak to the media, said the suspect used Siervo’s ATM card to withdraw cash several hours after the gruesome murder.

Quezon City police chief Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula refused to comment on the information. "We have a strong lead but we cannot give details as this may affect ongoing operations," he told reporters.

But he confirmed that Siervo’s ATM card and mobile phone were taken from the victim.

Gatdula said homicide investigators led by Supt. Procopio Lipana, chief of the Criminal Investigation Division said forensic probers of the Scene of the Crime Office (SOCO) are processing evidence including fingerprints lifted from the crime scene and the black baseball cap left by the suspects in Siervo’s house.

Gatdula said investigators were also able to build up a possible profile of one of the suspects who could be a an acquiantance of the victim.

He said the victim apparently fought with his assailants as indicated by wounds in his hands indicating that he tried to resist.

Gatdula said investigators are still trying to determine if the victim was stab or hacked because the murder weapon was not recovered at the crime scene,

"The SOCO report will determine if the victim was hacked or stabbed," he said

Police Officer 3 Rey Montefalcon said the victim’s body was found on the bed with hack wounds on his shoulder and right legs.

Montefalcon also noticed bloodstains near the door, which the suspect was trying to clean up and bloodstains in the kitchen sink indicating that the suspect washed his hands before leaving.

The relatives of the victim claimed that the victim’s cell phone and personal valuables were missing.

The victim was last seen alive about 4 a.m. the other day while entering the apartment compound. Sources said the victim was seen with two male companions. Investigators are still verifying the report.

The victim’s body was found by his laundrywoman at about 9 a.m. — With Evelyn Macairan