Trader held for killing teen, chopping up body

MANILA, Philippines — A businessman was arrested in Manila on Thursday night for allegedly killing a student and chopping up his body.

Dante Silva Reyes, 42, was the last person reportedly seen with student Rusty Rubia dela Cruz, 19, the Manila Police District (MPD) reported.

Dela Cruz was last seen parking his motorcycle at the corner of Severino Reyes and Remigio streets and going to Reyes’ house at past 1 p.m. on Dec. 29, 2021.

At around 11:50 p.m., Reyes was seen on closed-circuit television footage loading two sacks into the trunk of a taxi (plate number NGR-3561). The footage was released by the Moriones police substation.

Dela Cruz’s remains, chopped into five parts, were discovered at around 5 p.m. on Dec. 30 at a vacant lot along Bacoor Boulevard in Barangay Niog 3 in Bacoor, Cavite, the MPD said.

The victim’s body was identified by his brother.

Five hours after Dela Cruz’s remains were recovered, police arrested Reyes at the corner of Mel Lopez Boulevard and Zaragoza street when the victim’s father recognized him. A knife was confiscated from Reyes.

Probers did not disclose the motive for Dela Cruz’s killing but said they are preparing to charge Reyes with murder.