Subic Bay Freeport – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has condemned the killing of a business locator in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
This is sad news for us, not only because a prominent businessman who has been a very active member of the Subic Freeport community has fallen prey to violence, but also because one life has been snuffed out just like that Chairman and Administrator Amy Eisma said.
Authorities identified the fatality as Dominic L. Sytin, founder and CEO of the United Auctioneers, Inc. (UAI), a major importer and auctioneer of used trucks and heavy equipment operating in the Subic Freeport and Davao City.
Seriously wounded was his driver-cum-bodyguard Efren Espartero who sustained several gunshot wounds but reportedly in stable condition at the nearby Baypointe Hospital, closely guarded by policemen and SBMA Law Enforcement Department (LED) personnel.
Sketchy accounts of witnesses say motorcycle riding gunmen attacked Sytin and Espartero as they were about to enter the resort. The doorman said he was startled by the sound of gunfire and saw Sytin fall face down on the pavement, blood oozing from his head. A CCTV camera installed at The Lighthouse’s main entrance may have recorded the incident but may have missed portions, particularly from where the victims alighted from their vehicle.
At least 9 empty shells of what are believed to be .45 caliber bullets were recovered from the crime scene.
At the moment, the SBMA is working with the Philippine National Police and other investigating units to identify the killers.
“I have ordered at 7:28 p.m. a lockdown at all the Freeport gates as soon as I heard the sad news. I have also directed the SBMA SWAT team to double security at the gates and to thoroughly examine each person and every vehicle prior to their exit, said Eisma.
In this light, we ask for the cooperation of the public as we impose strict security measures in the Subic Bay Freeport, and urge any person with information to help authorities solve this crime, Eisma added. (Dante M. Salvana)