Business, labor issues eyed in slay of Subic trader

MANILA, Philippines — Police are looking into business and labor issues as among the possible motives for the killing of businessman Dominic Sytin at the Subic Freeport  on Wednesday.

“It could be internal business dealings... or competition... On labor issues, there were several employees who were terminated... these are the motives we are looking into,” Senior Superintendent Benjamin Sembrano, Olongapo police  chief, said yesterday.

Sembrano said they are considering at least 20 persons of interest, among them Sytin’s former employees who were terminated on various grounds, including drug use. 

Sytin was the chief executive officer of United Auctioneer Inc., the biggest company engaged in the importation of used vehicles, trucks and heavy equipment at the Subic freeport. He also owned the ACEA Subic Bay Resort.

Sembrano said probers have yet to determine if the gunman was a contract killer, noting that the killing was “well-planned.”

The motorcycle used by the assailant was recovered at the compound of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Sembrano said the chassis number of the vehicle was “heavily tampered.”

Police are checking footage of surveillance cameras at the SBMA to identify the gunman. 

Sytin’s family had earlier offered a reward of P1 million for information leading to the arrest of the gunman and those behind the killing.

Citing interviews with Sytin’s family members, police said the victim received death threats several weeks before he was killed.      

Sytin was shot by a lone gunman in front of the Lighthouse Marina Resort Hotel.

His driver Efren Espartero was seriously wounded when he tried to fight back. 

Witnesses said the gunman was between 5’8” to 5’9” tall, of medium built and was wearing a blue polo, gray pants and a red veil.

On Friday, police released a sketch of the suspect, with his nose and mouth covered with a handkerchief.

Chief Superintendent Joel Coronel, Central Luzon police chief, said it is possible that more people were involved in the murder.– With Bebot Sison