Top jeweler's son arrested in Bangkok

MANILA, Philippines - After almost seven years in hiding, a son of prominent jeweler Fe Sarmiento-Panlilio was arrested in Bangkok last Tuesday for allegedly killing two brothers in Laguna in July 2003.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) considers Jose Ma. Sarmiento Panlilio as the country’s top fugitive since he has the highest reward, P5 million, for his arrest.

Panlilio was arrested in Thailand by authorities last June 8 for violating the country’s immigration law by using a different name, which was not immediately disclosed as of press time.

Panlilio has been placed on the red notice of the International Police upon the request of the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime, which directly coordinates with the Interpol to arrest criminals who sought refuge outside the country where they committed their crimes.

Panlilio faces robbery with double homicide charges for the killing of Albert Gutierrez, 41, and Ariel Real, 38, in Barangay Makiling, Calamba.

Panlilio’s arrest was ordered by Calamba City Regional Trial Court Judge Antonio Manzano.

Lawyer Carmencita de Castro, the victims’ mother, has dedicated her life in pursuit for justice of her sons and raised over P2 million, bringing to P5 million the total reward offered for Panlilio’s arrest.

Court records showed that on the morning of July 15, 2003, Albert, who was a car trader, agreed to redeem Panlilio’s Hyundai Starex van which was in hock for P250,000 in Laguna.

The records stated that Albert and Ariel withdrew the amount and met Panlilio somewhere in Makati City to go to Laguna, where the van will be redeemed.

On the same day, De Castro said she received a text message from Ariel informing her that he and his brother, on board a Mitsubishi Pajero, were on their way to Laguna with Panlilio. That was the last time she heard from her children.

The brothers were later found in a grassy area in Barangay Makiling in Calamba City. Their Pajero was found 120 meters away.

Police said Panlilio allegedly shot the victims with a .9mm pistol. Gutierrez sustained five gunshot wounds while Real was hit eight times in different parts of the body. Panlilio also allegedly took the bag containing the money intended to redeem the Starex van.