Jeweler's son now in PNP custody

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s most wanted fugitive, a son of a prominent jeweler, is now in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Jose Ma. Panlilio arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 6 a.m. yesterday aboard a Cebu Pacific flight from Bangkok, where he was arrested Tuesday for violating Thailand’s immigration laws.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said officers from the PNP’s Philippine Center for Trans­national Crime, led by Chief Inspector Edgardo Hernandez, immediately took custody of Panlilio and brought him to the heavily-guarded PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame.

“He will be temporarily detained in Camp Crame pending proper disposition on the return of his warrant of arrest with the issuing court,” Espina said.

Panlilio, son of prominent jeweler Fe Sarmiento-Panlilio, is the primary suspect in the murder of half-brothers Ariel Real and Albert Gutierrez in Laguna on July 15, 2003.

The victims’ mother, lawyer Carmencita de Castro, and the PNP had put up a P5-million reward for his arrest.

Panlilio was arrested by Thai authorities 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 Gutierrez, 41, and Real, 38, in Barangay Maki­ling, Calamba.

Panlilio’s arrest was ordered by Calamba City regional trial court Judge Antonio Manzano.

Court records showed that on the morning of July 15, 2003, Real, 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 the victims 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 Real 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.