Authorities uncovered the body of a 64-year-old businessman who was abducted, tied up, and killed by three suspects before being placed in a sack and drum, and buried in a remote mountainous area in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, ABS-CBN News reported.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD), along with one of the arrested suspects, located the burial site after an extensive investigation.
The victim was last seen leaving his home on January 5 to visit his fish farm in Laguna. His family grew concerned when he failed to return and could not be reached on his mobile phone. The following day, the victim’s son received notifications of unauthorized withdrawals amounting to PHP 100,000 from two banks. CCTV footage confirmed the withdrawals were made by individuals other than the victim, prompting the family to report the incident to the police.
Two suspects were arrested on January 8 during a follow-up operation, and the victim’s SUV was recovered. One of the suspects, identified as alias “Noli,” confessed that they posed as potential buyers of a 12-hectare property owned by the victim.
According to Noli, the crime was masterminded by a certain “James Dwight,” who instructed them to abduct the businessman and demand the title of the property. When the victim failed to provide the document, he was killed.
Police apprehended James Dwight during a hot pursuit operation as he attempted to pay the remaining PHP 100,000 balance to the two suspects. Investigators revealed that Dwight used multiple aliases, including “Victor Duenas” and “Lope Jimenez.”
Authorities are now investigating if Dwight is connected to the high-profile case of Ruby Rose Barrameda, whose body was discovered in a cement-sealed drum in Navotas in 2007.
The three suspects face charges of kidnapping, robbery, carnapping, and murder, while police continue their investigation to confirm Dwight’s identity and any connections to previous crimes.
