Singaporean businessman slain, robbed by helper

MANILA, Philippines - A Singaporean businessman was found dead Sunday afternoon in his home in Quezon City.

Peter Lee, 50, of Barangay Pinagkaisahan, may have been attacked and robbed by his teenage helper, according to Police Officer 2 Rhic Pittong.

The victim, who bore a hack wound in the nape, was already dead when he was found at past 4 p.m. Sunday at the receiving area of his house.

Investigators are eyeing robbery as a motive since Lee’s wallet and iPhone 4 were missing.

Pittong believes the crime could have been perpetrated by Lee’s male helper, who was identified only as a certain “JR” and described as between 16 and 18 years old.

Lee’s driver, Julio Carino Jr., discovered the body after he arrived from Dau, Pampanga. He said JR and his personal belongings were missing.

Carino said he last saw the victim alive when Lee drove and dropped him off at past noon Sunday at a bus station for his trip to Dau. JR was with them at that time, he added.

Pittong said the teenager had been working for about a month now as a helper after being referred by Lee’s laundrywoman.

Carino claimed JR tried asking from Lee for a cash advance Saturday night but Lee refused, saying the helper had already taken several cash advances.

He also said that on Sunday morning, Lee reprimanded the teenager but he did not know what it was about.