Taiwanese mastermind in ‘chop-chop’ case nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities apprehended yesterday a Taiwanese national who allegedly masterminded the killing of a Chinese whose dismembered body was found stuffed in a drum in Binondo, Manila.

National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin confirmed to The STAR that the suspect, known only as Davao, 32, is a Taiwanese passport holder.

The suspect “was a friend” of the victim, Aberin said.

Police arrested Davao in a casino in Parañaque yesterday afternoon.

Davao was the second suspect nabbed in connection with the murder.

A 64-year-old man named Victor, who allegedly helped Davao transport the remains of the victim from a condominium building along Roxas Boulevard to Binondo, was apprehended on Wednesday.

The victim, identified by police as Xiangyang, has been confirmed a Chinese national based on his grocery membership card.

Xiangyang’s dismembered body was wrapped in a black trash bag when police recovered the drum on Feb. 15.

Authorities said some of the victim’s body parts were dumped the following day.

Police also recovered a steel hacksaw and a chopping knife that the suspects allegedly used in the killing.

The weapons were discarded in the trash area near the exit of the condominium’s 15th floor where Xiangyang was murdered.

Pasay police chief Col. Joselito De Sesto earlier said one of the motives probers were looking into was the victim’s debt from illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators.

Davao is being held at the Pasay police jail on murder charges. – Andrew Ronquillo