MANILA, Philippines - Samuel Decimo said ad firm executive Kristelle Davantes was just another victim he and his gang picked at random.
“She was just unlucky,†he told reporters at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday when asked why they robbed Davantes.
He said he and four other men – identified only as Jorek, Jomar, Jojo and Vaser – were “scouting†for a possible victim in Moonwalk Subdivision in Las Piñas City at past 1 a.m. on Sept. 7 when they chanced upon Davantes driving her Toyota Altis behind their vehicle, a Toyota Vios (NYU-517).
“We were looking for a possible rob victim but there was none so we decided it would be (Davantes),†Decimo said.
When Davantes pulled over in front of her house and got out of her car, Decimo said he, Jorek and Jomar accosted her at knifepoint and commandeered her vehicle.
He said they did not intend to kill her – all they wanted was to get her money and other valuables.
“But she was able to recognize my accomplices so they decided to have her killed,†Decimo said.
Easy entry
Their choice of subdivision to trawl for possible victims, however, was not random. A source told The STAR that the gang, pushed by the need to “score,†one of the suspects said he “knows a place.â€
Decimo said it was easy for them to enter the guarded residential subdivision because the car driven by his accomplice had a homeowner’s sticker on the vehicle.
Decimo said they decided to take Davantes and her car to Silang, Cavite. He said they hogtied Davantes using her car’s seatbelt and her laptop charger and gagged her with a handkerchief.
They tried to strangle her with the cord of a cell phone charger but she survived, Decimo added.
He said they thought of bringing Davantes to Tagaytay, but on the road, she tried to fight them.
Decimo said Jorek ordered him to kill Davantes because she saw the Vios’ plates and their faces. A “nervous†Decimo followed orders, took the victim out of the car and stabbed her in the neck repeatedly.
“I cannot remember how many times I stabbed her,†he said.
They left Davantes’ body under the bridge and sped away with her car, taking with them her laptop, cell phones and P3,000.
Gadgets found
Davantes’ laptop and cell phone were found in a store in Alabang, Muntinlupa City yesterday afternoon.
NBI-National Capital Region chief Elfren Meneses Jr. said the development only proves they have the right suspect in custody.
“What it proves is that his statement has credibility,†he said.
The NBI is preparing multiple criminal charges against Decimo. It is not yet clear, however, whether the NBI will file charges on its own or if the bureau will forward its findings to the police, which is conducting a separate investigation.
Decimo was arrested in his house in Molino II, Cavite on Friday night over his alleged involvement in a jeepney robbery. He was charged Saturday night for the heist.
What has been confirmed is that Davantes’ uncle, Vince Davantes, will stand as the complainant since the victim’s parents, both overseas workers, have to return to their jobs in Saudi Arabia.
Vince met with NBI deputy director for regional operations Virgilio Mendez to thank him for the “swift†action.
“The Davantes family is very thankful for the recent development… Your swift and very effective operation was awesome. In 14 days, you bagged one of those who did the felony. Our family could not help but praise God,†Vince’s one-page handwritten letter read.
Coming up empty
Police officers searched a house in Las Piñas City where Davantes’ Altis was reportedly brought by the suspects.
Task Force Kae head Chief Supt. Christopher Laxa said initial investigation showed that Davantes was not brought to the two-story house on 37 Emerald street in Pamplona 3.
Police earlier said a search of the house would show if the suspects had stripped the Altis of its seats there. The seats were not found in the house, Laxa said.
“The house was processed by the SOCO (scene of the crime operatives). The seats are negative,†Laxa said.
The Altis was recovered in Pamplona 3 on Sept. 15. – With Mike Frialde