5th suspect in Davantes slay surrenders

MANILA, Philippines - Another suspect in the killing of advertising executive Kristelle “Kae” Davantes surrendered yesterday in Cabanatuan City, bringing to five the number of suspects now in police custody.

Kelvin Jorek Evangelista, 19, was on his way to Aurora province when a police team headed by Las Piñas police chief Senior Superintendent Adolfo Samala caught up with him at the Cabanatuan bus terminal.

Evangelista gave himself up peacefully after learning that his father, Ricardo, was with the police team.

In a press conference, the suspect admitted his participation in robbing Davantes. But he denied having a hand in her brutal death.

With the surrender of Evangelista, the last suspect, Baser Minalang, remains at large.

First to fall was Samuel Decimo, who was collared by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation while the Muntinlupa City police was responsible for the arrest of Lloyd Benedict Enriquez, 19.

Reggie Diel, 30, surrendered to National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr. while Jomar Pepito surrendered to Cavite Gov. Janvic Remulla.

All six suspects were charged Tuesday with car theft and robbery with homicide with the Department of Justice.

Following the surrender of Pepito, the elder Evangelista met with Samala Tuesday night for the surrender of his son, who went into hiding in Muntinlupa City after his name was dragged into the Davantes case.

But when he called up his son, Ricardo found out that he was on his way to Aurora with his mother.

Samala immediately formed a police team and rushed to Cabanatuan City where they arrested the suspect.

When presented before Garbo and Chief Superintendent Christopher Laxa, head of Task Force Kae, the younger Evangelista admitted he was part of the group that abducted Davantes on Sept. 7.

However, when he sensed that his companions were out to kill her, he said he told his cohorts to transfer to Davantes’ car. After that, he said he did not know what happened next.

Laxa ordered Evangelista’s transfer to the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for further processing.

He said the manhunt for Minalang is still ongoing.

Laxa called on the suspect’s family, relatives and friends to urge him to surrender.