Taiwanese ‘mastermind’ in Binondo ‘chop chop’ killing nabbed

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

ARRESTED. Police take a Taiwanese national, alleged mastermind in the Binondo “chop chop” murder, into custody following his arrest on Thursday (Feb. 19, 2026) at a Parañaque City hotel. An accomplice was earlier arrested. (Photo: PNA/Facebook)

MANILA – A Taiwanese national tagged as the mastermind behind the dismemberment of a body found inside a drum in Binondo, Manila on Feb. 15 was arrested Thursday in Parañaque City.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the suspect was arrested around 1:30 p.m. at a hotel along Seaside Boulevard.

He said the 32-year-old suspect was identified as the individual responsible for killing and dismembering the victim, later identified as a Chinese national using the alias Xiangyang.

After his arrest, the suspect was taken to the Investigation and Detective Management Section (IDMS) for documentation and then to Pasay City General Hospital for a physical exam.

The case will proceed to inquest before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office for murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.

Aberin said the arrest was made possible through the cooperation of the suspect’s live-in partner, hotel staff, and the police.

“Mula sa pagrekober ng drum hanggang sa pagkilala sa pinanggalingang condominium at sa tuluyang pag-aresto sa lahat ng sangkot, malinaw na ipinakita ng NCRPO na ang bawat detalye ay susundan at bawat ebidensya ay pagbabatayan (From the recovery of the drum to the identification of the condominium of origin and the eventual arrest of all those involved, the NCRPO clearly demonstrated that every detail will be followed and every piece of evidence will be used),” he said in a statement.

Southern Police District chief Brig. Gen. Randy Arceo called the arrest a decisive step toward justice.

He added that an earlier arrest by police helped lead to the capture of the alleged mastermind.

“Prior to this development, our personnel were able to arrest the lead suspect involved in the disposal of the victim’s remains, which proved vital in building the case and eventually leading to the capture of the mastermind behind this crime,” Arceo said.