NAKTF chief Angelo Reyes identified the suspects as Jefferson Ab-abor, Eddie Bagni, Delfin Palapag, Cromwell Luke Filog and Jayson Linglingan.
The burnt remains of the victim, Senli Loy, 55, were found only last Monday — or two months after his kidnapping — at Km. 38 on Halsema Highway in Atok, Benguet following a tip from residents.
Reyes said Loy, described to have an athletic build, was hit on the head, causing his death, when he fought off his abductors along Marcos Highway in Tuba town.
Loy’s Toyota RAV 4 had bloodstains when it was later found in Itogon town.
Reyes said Ab-abor gave himself up last Monday and admitted his role in the kidnap-slaying. His surrender led to the arrest of the four other suspects.
Chief Superintendent Rowland Albano, Cordillera police director, said no ransom was paid to Loy’s kidnappers.
But the victim’s widow, Angelie, who was present when the suspects were presented, said they had given her husband’s captors half-a-million pesos during the second payoff, apparently not aware that he was already dead.
After Angelie’s revelation, NAKTF personnel asked her to excuse herself from the press briefing.