The assassin who shot and killed businessman Dominic Sytin has pleaded guilty for the murder, a Department of Justice prosecutor said on Wednesday.
Senior State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, head of the DOJ’s panel of prosecutors handling the case, revealed that during his arraignment before the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court, accused Edgardo Luib pleaded guilty for murdering Sytin and for frustrated murder for injuring Sytin’s bodyguard Efren Espartero.
In his sworn statement, Luib detailed how the killing of Sytin was planned.
He implicated Sytin’s younger brother Dennis and former employee Ryan D. Rementilla alias Oliver Fuentes as those involved in the plot to kill Dominic.
The trial will continue on Sept. 11.
Navera said that the prosecution will still present evidence against the three accused despite Luib’s plea.
According to Navera, despite Luib’s pleading guilty, the trial court will still determine the voluntariness and full comprehension of his plea as required under the Rules on Criminal Procedure.
However, Luib can no longer be discharged as state witness.
“He already pleaded guilty. He cannot be discharged anymore,” Navera said.
The Olongapo City RTC earlier issued a hold departure order to stop Dennis from leaving the country. Dennis stands trial for allegedly masterminding last year’s killing of his elder brother inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Subic, Zambales.
Besides Dennis, also covered by the July 30 order issued by Olongapo City RTC, Branch 72, Presiding Judge Richard Paradeza is Sytin’s co-accused, Oliver Fuentes alias Ryan Rementilla.
Paradeza was the same judge who last month issued a warrant for the arrest of Sytin and Fuentes.
The Philippine National Police had accused the younger Sytin as the mastermind behind the assassination of his brother, citing the confession of Luib, the alleged gunman.
Last May, an Angeles City court issued a precautionary hold departure order against the younger Sytin, Fuentes and Luib in connection with the killing.
The order issued by the Executive Judge of the Third Judicial Region in Angeles City was based on a request by the victim’s wife, Ann Marrieta asking the court to issue a hold departure order against her brother-in-law, Fuentes and Luib.
Luib was arrested in Sto. Tomas, Batangas last March 5 due to existing arrest warrants over murder cases he is facing including the killing of journalist Mae Magsino and Municipal Councilor Michael Caringal of Bauan, Batangas.
He later executed an extrajudicial confession and pointed to Dennis as the one who masterminded the hit on his elder brother, who at the time of his murder was the chief executive of the United Auctioneers Incorporated (UAI).
Luib also tagged Fuentes in the killing.
Fuentes was formerly employed at the UAI before he was fired by Dominic for allegedly embezzling P1 million from the company.
The younger Sytin has denied any hand in the killing of his brother, saying Luib was a “polluted source,” motivated by “self-preservation.”
He said there was no categorical evidence to support Luib’s claim that he was the one who masterminded the hit on his brother.