Army still locating 2 soldiers tagged in Davao businesswoman-model’s slay

Yvonne Chua Plaza

MANILA, Philippines — While five of the military personnel linked to the murder of Davao-based businesswoman-model Yvonette Chua Plaza are already under the custody of the Philippine Army (PA), it is still trying to locate two others, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The AFP said Friday that it is “saddened” by the alleged involvement of its personnel in the killing of Plaza as it reiterated that “it will never condone any unlawful act of its members.”

“The Philippine Army has already taken proactive measures that will help in the resolution of the case. Five of the military personnel–two officers and three enlisted personnel–named respondents are already under its custody and will be made available to face the charges that will be filed against them. Efforts are ongoing to locate the other two respondents,” it said in a statement.

The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Plaza earlier tagged Brigadier General Jesus Durante as the alleged brains behind Plaza’s death. He supposedly tapped at least six Army soldiers–all of whom are his subordinates in the 1001st Infantry Brigade–and three others for the murder.

READ: Ex-PSG chief, 9 aides tagged in model’s slay  

Durante–the former chief of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s Presidential Security Group–and Col. Michael Licyayo, the brigade deputy commander tagged as his accomplice, were earlier confirmed to have been taken into custody at the AFP headquarters in Taguig City earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Staff Sgt. Gilbert Plaza, Sgt. Delfin Sialsa Jr. and Cpl. Adrian Cachero–also allegedly involved in Plaza’s killing–are in the custody of the AFP’s 10th Infantry Division in Davao de Oro.

READ: Durante in Army custody; court martial looms 

The other respondents in the murder complaint filed in the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office are Pfc. Rolly Cabal; Pfc. Romart Longakit; Noel Japitan; a certain “Junior;” and a man identified only as “Master Sergeant.”

The AFP then noted that it is already conducting a parallel investigation “without prejudice to the ongoing criminal proceedings.”

It had also extended its sympathies to the bereaved kin of Plaza.

“To the family of Yvonette, we feel your grief and pain. Please accept our condolences, and we are one with you in praying for her eternal peace,” the AFP added.

Plaza was gunned down outside her Davao residence on Dec. 29. But Durante denied any involvement in the murder of Plaza, whom he referred to as a friend.

READ: Army exec denies hand in Davao model’s slay  

An official of the National Bureau of Investigation called Plaza’s killing a “crime of passion,” citing the “relationship” between the victim and the general, a married man.

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JPV