DOJ files raps vs brother of slain Subic trader

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed charges against businessman Dennis Sytin in connection with the killing of his brother Dominic in November.

A DOJ panel led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera also filed murder and frustrated murder charges against the alleged gunman, Edgardo Luib, and the victim’s former employee Ryan Rementilla, alias Oliver Fuentes, before the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court.

The panel said it found probable cause in the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police and Dominic’s widow Ann Marietta. It rejected Dennis’ defense in his counter-affidavit that there was no clear and categorical evidence to prove that he was the brains in the killing. Luib pointed to Dominic in his extrajudicial confession.

Dennis claimed he never met Luib, and tagged Rementilla as the mastermind.

Luib was arrested in Batangas on March 5. He claimed Dennis promised him P1 million to kill Dominic, but was paid only P50,000.

Rementilla remains at large.

Dominic, founder and chief executive officer of United Auctioneers Inc. (UAI), was killed in front of the Lighthouse Hotel in Subic on Nov. 28. His driver Efren Espartero was wounded when he tried to fight back.   

Probers are eyeing a grudge over the control of shares of UAI, one of the country’s biggest auction firms, as the motive for the killing.