Sytin — who had a P10-million reward for information leading to his capture — was arrested in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia on March 22 in a coordinated operation between the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Office of the Police Attaché in Malaysia.
He is the alleged mastermind behind the 2018 killing of his brother, Dominic Sytin, founder and president of United Auctioneers Inc. The murder occurred on Nov. 28, 2018, outside a hotel at the Subic Bay Freeport and drew widespread attention from the business community.
According to the police unit’s Facebook post, Sytin was tracked and arrested at the Cobra Rugby Club in Petaling Jaya at 5:42 p.m. last Saturday. His apprehension followed weeks of surveillance conducted by Malaysian law enforcement agencies with support from Philippine authorities.
“This operation highlights the power of international cooperation in bringing fugitives to justice. It sends a strong message that no one can escape accountability, no matter where they flee,” PRO3 regional director Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said.
On the same day, police also arrested Sytin’s alleged accomplice, Edrian T. Rementilla, also known by the aliases Ryan Rementilla and Oliver Fuentes. Rementilla, said to have acted as the middleman in the killing, was apprehended in Iligan City at around 10:30 p.m. by joint operatives from PRO3 and PRO10, along with the Iligan City Police Office.
Rementilla had been the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 7 in Manila under Criminal Case No. 2019-1076. No bail was recommended.
“You can run, but you can never truly hide,” Fajardo said. “This arrest proves that no matter how long it takes, justice will always prevail.”
Both suspects are expected to face legal proceedings in the Philippines. Authorities said efforts are underway for Sytin’s repatriation and the Rementilla’s presentation to the court that issued the warrant for his arrest.
