by JOEL CALAMBA ESCOL, Managing Editor
MANILA, Philippines — In response to the recent killing of fashion model and businesswoman Yvonne Chua Plaza, Senator “Bato” dela Rosa advised men in uniforms not to risk their careers on illicit affairs.
The senator was apparently referring to Brig. General Jesus Durante III, commander of the 101st Infantry Battalion based in Mawab, Davao de Oro.
Durante was recently linked as the alleged mastermind in the killing of fashion model Yvonne Chua outside her house in Green Meadows Subdivision on December 29, 2022 in Davao City.
“Nagulat talaga, nagulat,” Dela Rosa told the media on Friday. “Dahil nga, inisip ko, general ka na, one-star general ka isusugal mo ‘yung career mo at saka ‘yung future ng pamilya mo dahil lang sa isang babae. Parang ganun ang tingin ko, huwag mong isugal. Kung totoo ‘yan.”
Durante was facing murder charges along with 9 other army officers and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
But Durante has denied any involvement in the murder of Plaza, saying he also demands justice for Plaza’s untimely demise.
“Yvonne was a friend,” Durante told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview dated January 3, a few days after the model was shot dead by motorcycle-riding-in-tandem assassins.
Gunman in military custody
Meanwhile, the alleged gunman in the murder of businesswoman and model Yvonne Chua Plaza is now in the custody of the 10th Infantry Division based in Mawab, Davao de Oro, reports obtained by MDNN News said yesterday.
Capt Mark Anthony Tito has confirmed this during an interview with the media. Tito also revealed that two more army personnel who allegedly executed the murder were also in their custody.
Earlier, a reliable source of GMA-One Mindanao has named three army personnel who executed the killing. They were PFC Delfin Sialsa who was the gunman; CPL Adriano Cashero, who acted as the motorcycle driver; and Staff Sgt Gilbert Plaza, who was the reported team leader of the group.
“We assure the public that the three army personnel involved in the killing are now in our custody,” says 10th ID spokesperson Capt Mark Anthony Tito.
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