Condo-slay suspect surfaces

"I had nothing to do with what happened to Candice. I did not even know her."

This was the statement of 23-year-old Bebs Reyes, who finally surfaced at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) main office in Manila yesterday to deny his involvement in the killing of bank employee Candice Castro last May 12.

Reyes’ appearance at the NBI headquarters ends a two-week manhunt launched by the NBI and Western Police District (WPD) against a son of Buenvenido Reyes, intelligence officer of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

He also extended condolences to parents and family of Castro, who was found dead inside her condominium unit at the Vellagio Tower last May 12.

"Nakikiramay po ako sa mga magulang ni Candice, wala po akong kinalaman sa nangyari sa kanya," Reyes stressed.

Reyes also challenged arrested suspect Philippe Marcelo to tell the truth and face the consequence of his actions.

"Wag mo akong gawing dahilan, managot ka sa ginawa mo," Reyes said.

Reyes, accompanied by his mother Connie Reyes and lawyers Orly Dizon and Rico Bolongaite, showed up at the office of NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco at around 3:30 p.m. yesterday.

Wycoco said Reyes will be placed under the custody of the NBI while Manila City Assistant Prosecutor Elseray Faith Noro is in the process of resolving the rape with homicide case against him.

"From here on, Reyes will be here at the NBI premises," Wycoco noted.

The NBI chief noted that the bureau will just follow the ruling of the prosecutor.

Wycoco said Reyes has indicated his willingness to submit himself to another drug test, physical examination, polygraph test for as long as they are conducted within the NBI premises.

Wycoco also noted that the WPD, which is investigating the Castro killing, will be given access to Reyes for investigation provided it is done in the presence of his lawyers.

Reyes recalled that on the eve before Castro was killed, he was in a drinking session with a utility man and two security guards of the tower when Marcelo joined the group.

He said a few minutes later, he decided to leave because he got irritated with Marcelo’s boast that he could get any girl he wants.

Reyes said Marcelo shot back at him with a warning, "may araw ka rin."

He claimed to have ignored the threat, proceeded to his condominium unit at 1105, which is one unit away from Castro’s room at 1103 and went to bed.

The following day, Reyes said he was surprised to see policemen in Castro’s room and was even more shocked when he found out a tenant was killed.

"Some lawmen even asked me if I heard any noise inside her room. I said I did not," Reyes pointed out.

He noted that he seldom stays in the condominium. "I am only there whenever my sister needs a driver."

According to his mother Connie, the family was together in the room during the fateful night. She said her son never left the room after turning himself in for the night.

Reyes said he decided to go on hiding after he learned that Marcelo had implicated him to the crime.

"I was so afraid upon learning that Marcelo tagged me in the killing. I decided to hide after I learned that the two men earlier pointed by Marcelo were tortured into admitting the killing, but were later released, he said.

Reyes’ mother said she has been having sleepless night since her son was linked to the killing.

Their lawyers maintained that Reyes could have not killed Castro because of his built. Reyes is around 90 pounds and about 5 feet and 4 inches tall while Castro stands 5 feet and 7 inches and about 130 pounds.

Castro was finally laid to rest last Friday in her hometown in Naga City. Her parents Grace and Rogelio vowed to pursue the case until their daughter gets justice.