Suspect in bank exec’s murder arrested

MANILA, Philippines - Operatives of the Manila Police District (MPD) and village watchmen from Barangay 221 arrested yesterday the lone suspect in the killing of a bank executive and two others in Sta. Cruz, Manila the other day.

Nestor Delizalde Jr., a tanod from Barangay 225, Zone 21, Camarines street in Tondo and member of the “Sputnik Gang,” was nabbed less than 24 hours after he allegedly killed Evelyn Tan, 40, assistant vice president of Banco de Oro’s loans department in Makati; her 75-year-old mother Teresa; and their 22-year-old maid Kristina Bartolay.

The victims bore multiple stab wounds and their throats slit.

Delizalde was presented to Mayor Alfredo Lim by MPD director Chief Superintendent Alex Gutierrez, and MPD Station 7 commander Senior Superintendent Roderick Mariano following his arrest and identification by witness-neighbor Myrna Tandiama.

Tandiama said she saw the suspect rushing out of the victims’ house and even told her to keep her mouth shut.

During questioning, Delizalde said that he initially intended to rob the victims when he entered their home on Yakal street in Sta. Cruz district at dawn Monday.

However, part of the loot that Delizalde took from the victims was missing.

Lim warned the barangay tanods who nabbed the suspect a few minutes before the police arrived to come up with the stolen money and items or they will face charges.

The mayor order the filing of charges of robbery with homicide against the suspect.

 Delizalde admitted that he took 19,000 Yuan, P22,000 cash, a digital camera and three cellular phones after killing the victims.

 MPD homicide head Chief Inspector Joey de Ocampo said they only recovered two cellular phones, P2,000 cash and 2,500 Yuan.

 Delizalde said the watchmen took the rest of the loot.

Killer’s confession

In an interview with The STAR, Delizalde admitted that he planned the crime.

 He said he entered the house by passing through the garage and destroying the door lock with a bladed weapon.

 The suspect said he first tried to lift the washing machine but it was too heavy so he settled for the microwave oven.

“Pero ang tanga ko kasi hindi ko napansin na may nakapatong na plato at nahulog ito. (But I was so dumb I never noticed the plate so it fell),” he said.

It was at this juncture when the elder Tan came out of the kitchen and saw him.

The old woman hit him with a broom, prompting Delizalde to stab her several times before slashing her throat.

He said he killed the maid after she tried to escape. 

Delizalde said he had to kill the bank executive as she kept on shouting.

Intelligence and GPS

De Ocampo said they tracked down the suspect using Global Positioning System (GPS) with the help of a communications network.

 Delizalde said he wanted to get his daughter who was with her mother-in-law on Almeda street, prompting him to call his niece to give her money.

 De Ocampo said the suspect had his hair cut and changed his location several times.

 Delizalde was finally cornered outside an e-gaming center outside Tutuban Mall in Divisoria after answering a text message but he ran toward Barangay 221.

 In the ensuing chase, the watchmen pounced on the suspect and took him to the barangay hall.

De Ocampo said intelligence work and the help of GPS made it possible for them to arrest the suspect in less than 24 hours. – With Sandy Araneta