By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

ARRESTED. Police arrest the alleged mastermind in the Binondo drum murder case on Thursday (Feb. 19, 2026) at a Parañaque City hotel. The National Capital Region Police Office on Monday (Feb. 23) said aside from the two already in custody, police are looking for four more suspects in the killing. (Photo courtesy Southern Police District)

MANILA – Police are looking for four more Chinese suspects in the killing of a Chinese national whose dismembered body was found inside a drum in Manila on Feb. 15.

In an online interview on Monday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said the four have been included in the complaint filed by the police in connection with the crime.

Two suspects, including the alleged mastermind, were arrested earlier by authorities.

“Based on the information natin, sila ay magkakasama sa isang negosyo. Previously, mayroon silang money changer na negosyo. Inaalam natin kung active pa ‘yung kanilang business na ‘yun (Based on the information we have, they are business partners. They previously have a money changer business. We’re still verifying if that business is still operating),” Asilo said.

She added that police investigators have already obtained copies of the four foreigners’ passports, which showed that they entered the Philippines legally.

Investigators are looking into unpaid debt as the motive behind the killing, although police have yet to determine the amount of debt that the victim supposedly owed.

Asilo said the alleged mastermind’s live-in partner is now serving as a witness in the case. (PNA)