Tondo ‘chop-chop’ case: Crime of passion eyed

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Police District (MPD) is considering as a crime of passion the killing of a student in Tondo whose chopped body parts were found stuffed in two sacks in Cavite last week.

Businessman Dante Reyes, 42, was arrested for the killing of 19-year-old student Rusty de la Cruz on Dec. 29.

Reyes allegedly stabbed the victim then chopped him up following an argument over a lost bet in online sabong or cockfight, MPD spokesman Capt. Philipp Ines told The STAR yesterday.

Ines said they are looking into a crime of passion as a motive for the killing because of an alleged relationship between Reyes and the victim, although the suspect denied this.

The suspect reportedly paid for the victim’s tuition, Ines added.

Police said Reyes was last seen with the victim, who visited the suspect’s house along Masangkay street in Barangay 261, Tondo on Dec. 29.

The suspect was caught on closed-circuit television footage loading the sacks that contained the victim’s remains in the back of a taxi.

Reyes allegedly dismembered the victim to hide evidence of the crime, according to Ines.

The victim’s remains were found at a vacant lot in Bacoor, Cavite on Dec. 30.

The suspect is being held by police on murder charges.