THE Police Regional Office-Davao’s (PRO-Davao) Special Investigation Task Group Plaza (SITG) bared that the murder of businesswoman Yvonne Chua Plaza may have been a crime of passion.
On January 25, 2025, the SITG said they have identified ten persons who are allegedly involved in the murder of Plaza. Of the 10, seven are personnel of the 1001st Brigade of the Philippine Army, one is a civilian, and two other "John Does," who have yet to be determined if they are civilians or part of the same brigade.
According to SITG, the main person allegedly behind the death of Plaza is BGen. Jesus Durante III, a Brigade Commander of 1001st Brigade under the 10th Infantry Division (10ID).
“Based on our witness, the victim already has sensitive information against General Durante and she uses it to blackmail him,” Regional Director of PRO Davao PBGen. Benjamin Silo Jr. said during the SITG Plaza press conference at the Bagani Hall of Police Regional Office Davao Region (PRO-Davao) on January 25, 2023.
On December 28, 2022, Plaza was killed outside her house by two gunmen.
Although Durante initially denied accusations that he allegedly killed the victim, whom he described as a “friend," the SITG claims that evidence could be pointing towards him.
“The macbook recovered from the victim’s house contained contacts, intimate photos, and email messages directed to Gen. Durante,” SITG said.
According to SITG, Durante gave instructions to “liquidate the victim” to Deputy Brigade Commander Michael Licyayo and five other suspects under his command – SSg. Gilbert Plaza, who was identified as the team leader; CPL. Adrian Cachero, the motorcycle driver; SGT. Delfin Sialsa, the gunman; and CPL. Romar Longakit and CPL, Rolly Cabal, who were assigned to casing surveillance.
Another suspect named Noel Hapitan was identified as the "striker."
Silo said they suspect jealousy as one of the reasons why Plaza was killed, but they could not verify if she was pregnant as the autopsy of the body was not focused on identifying this.
Meanwhile, SITG has already filed cases of murder, obstruction of justice or Presidential Decree (PD) 1829, and theft under the Revised Penal Code (RPC) Art. 308 against the suspects.
In a separate online interview with SunStar Davao on January 25, PRO-Davao spokesperson PMaj. Eudisan Gultiano said while the alleged suspects are currently in custody, they will not be able to hold them for long because a warrant of arrest has not yet been issued. However she assured that the 10ID will take custody of the other suspects.
10th ID spokesperson Capt. Mark Anthony Tito confirmed in a separate interview with SunStar Davao through message that Plaza, Cachero and Sialsa are in their custody, while Longakit and Cabal are missing. Durante and Licyayo are already in the custody of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio.
BGen. Allan Hambala, the Asst. Division Commander of 10ID, said they will cooperate with the army during their investigation.
“Rest assured your army will fully cooperate in the conduct of the investigation,” Hambala said. KSD