The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday confirmed that the dismembered body found inside a drum in Binondo, Manila on 15 February was that of a Chinese-looking victim allegedly killed by a compatriot.
Authorities have arrested one of two Chinese suspects in connection with the killing. The arrested suspect, identified only as alias “Victor,” reportedly refused to cooperate with investigators.
In a press conference at Camp Crame, Pasay City police chief Col. Joselito de Sesto said Victor, who works as an interpreter, was identified through security footage from a condominium building in Pasay City. The second suspect, also Chinese, remains at large.
De Sesto said Victor was seen pushing a drum into an elevator on the 15th floor of the condominium at around 5:25 p.m. on Sunday and sought the assistance of a security guard.
The guard was allegedly told that the drum contained bottled soft drinks and was unaware it held human remains.
Additional footage showed Victor at the building’s driveway around 5:26 p.m., waiting for a rented utility van to transport the drum. The two suspects were later seen returning together to the condominium complex at about 7:37 p.m.
Police subsequently inspected the condominium unit linked to the suspects.
“Talagang nandoon pa yung bloody stains. Yung unan, ang daming dugo at parang yung carcasses ng katawan. At saka yung mop, mayroon pang dugo. Talagang nilinis. May dugo pa ring naiwan sa may master's bedroom,” De Sesto said.
Investigators have yet to determine how long the suspects have been in the country, whether the killing was related to a purported debt, and who the principal suspect is.
Police are also coordinating with the condominium administration to identify the unit owner.
The victim remains unidentified and unclaimed, De Sesto said.
The body was discovered Sunday night after two scavengers reported the drum to authorities. According to the Manila Police District, two men aboard a white Mitsubishi L300 van stopped on Mel Lopez Bridge and paid the scavengers to dispose of a Scotch tape-sealed blue drum.
The scavengers transported the drum to Delpan Sports Complex in Barangay 275 and opened it, discovering a trash bag containing chopped body parts. They immediately alerted police.
The investigation is ongoing.