Suspect admits killing fashion designer Kenneth Chua

The suspect in the killing of celebrity fashion designer Kenneth Chua has admitted to committing the crime, a report from GMA's “24-Oras” program said Thursday.

“Dalawa lang kami [na gumawa ng krimen]... Nanglaban si Kenneth, eh ang laki ni Kenneth kaya nasaktan yung kasama ko. Nakita ko lang nagkadugo pala,” said Rogelio Aquiat in the report.

Aquiat, who has worked for Chua as a coat maker, reportedly said he and another suspect identified only as Adjang stabbed the victim in an attempt to force him to reveal the pin code of his ATM card.

It was desperate need for money that pushed the suspects to rob and slay Chua, the report said.

Investigators identified Aquiat after a bank's CCTV footage caught him and an accomplice withdrawing from an ATM in Caloocan City using Chua's card.

Chua's brutalized body was found by his parents inside the restroom of his shop in Makati City on Tuesday morning. His wallet, cellphone and ATM card were missing.

Pot session

The “24 Oras” report said Aquiat was arrested Wednesday while he was having pot session with two off-duty policemen in Caloocan City.

“Ang paraphernalia ng drugs nasa lamesa pa at sila ay medyo bangag at may nakuha pa mismong shabu,” Makati police chief Sernior Superintendent Manuel Lukban Jr. said.

Lukban added that Aquiat denied he was under the influence of drugs, but admitted that he and Adjang were drunk when they committed the crime.

Aquiat will undergo inquest proceedings on Friday, while a manhunt operation is ongoing to arrest his accomplice.

“Sana talagang lahat sila mahuli para mabigyan ng justice 'yung pamilya namin dahil sobrang masama ang ginawa nila sa kapatid ko” said Mimie Chua, the victim's sister.

Meanwhile, the two policemen who were arrested with Aquiat—P01 Ryan Tabudlong and P02 Danbeth Goronga—will be filed with obstruction of justice and violation of Anti-Dangerous Drugs Act, the “24 Oras” report said. — Andrei Medina/KBK, GMA News