‘Central figure’ in 2018 slay of trader repatriated from Malaysia

Police at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) serve an arrest warrant against businessman Alan Dennis Sytin upon his repatriation from Malaysia late Friday night, April 11, 2025. —Photo from Police Regional Office 3

MANILA, Philippines — A “central figure” in the 2018 killing of a businessman was repatriated to the Philippines from Malaysia, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3) announced.

In a statement on Saturday, PRO 3 said its personnel served businessman Alan Dennis Sytin an arrest warrant upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) late Friday night.

“Sytin is a central figure in the murder case of his brother, Dominic Sytin, the President and CEO of United Auctioneers Inc., who was fatally shot outside the Lighthouse Hotel in SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority), Olongapo City in November 2018,” PRO 3 said.

READ: ‘Brains’ in Subic trader’s slay caught in Malaysia

Malaysian authorities caught Sytin last March 22 after failing to present a valid travel document, a violation of the country’s immigration law.

“Following his detention, the PNP (Philippine National Police) worked closely with the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia to arrange Sytin’s repatriation, culminating in his official turnover to the escorting PNP team at Naia,” the Central Luzon police said.

According to the PRO 3, Sytin’s Philippine passport was cancelled last September, following a Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 7 order in June 2024.

An International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice was issued against Sytin on January 24, 2020, the PRO 3 further detailed.