TV exec’s murder suspects nabbed

Two suspects in the killing of a television producer last month were arrested yesterday by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) following a sting operation set up with the help of one of the suspect’s acquaintance.

Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula identified the suspects as Alfie Cabatuando, 24, a masseur; and Christopher Dagusan, 38, a former security guard, both of Camarin, Caloocan City.

"This case is already closed with the arrest of the principal suspect, Alfie Cabatuando, who admitted that he committed the crime with the help of Christopher Dagusan," Gatdula told The STAR.

Joselito Siervo, a producer of ABS-CBN television program "Dream Academy," was found dead and naked inside his apartment unit in Bgy. Sta. Cruz in Quezon City on November 3 by a laundrywoman. Siervo was stabbed and robbed by the attackers.

Gatdula said murder charges would be filed against Cabatuando and Dagusan today before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the police, investigators were able to trace the whereabouts of the suspects through cellular phone calls that one of the suspects made to an acquaintance.

Superintendent Franklin Mabanag, chief of the QCPD’s Criminal Investigation Division, said that one of the suspects sold his mobile phone to a lady friend and made frequent calls to her on Nov. 9 and 24 using one of Siervo’s mobile phone numbers.

Police managed to obtain records of Siervo’s mobile phone bills and located the suspects’ friend in Baler, Aurora province.

Subsequently, the suspects’ friend agreed to cooperate with authorities and set up a meeting with Cabatuando and Dagusan somewhere in Banawe, Quezon City, where the suspects were consequently arrested.