Hold-departure order out vs Subic trader

MANILA, Philippines — Businessman Dennis Sytin and his co-accused have been barred from leaving the country in connection with the killing of his brother Dominic in November.

Olongapo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 72 Judge Richard Paradeza issued a hold-departure order (HDO) on July 30 against Sytin and Dominic’s former employee Oliver Fuentes, who were charged with murder and frustrated murder.   

“We welcome this development. The issuance of the warrant and the HDO ensures that all the accused remain within Philippine jurisdiction and once they are in custody that trial proceed with dispatch,” Juan Pedro Navera, senior assistant state prosecutor, said. 

The Olongapo RTC issued warrants of arrest against Sytin and Fuentes on July 29. 

The alleged gunman, Edgardo Luib, who was arrested in Batangas on March 5, issued an extrajudicial confession that tagged Sytin as the mastermind.

In filing the case, the Department of Justice said it found probable cause in the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police and Dominic’s widow Ann Marietta. 

Dominic, founder and chief executive officer of United Auctioneers Inc., was shot dead in front of the Lighthouse Hotel in Subic. His driver Efren Espartero was wounded.