THE Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed a Manila court’s denial of the petition for bail filed by Alan Dennis Sytin, the alleged mastermind in the November 2018 killing of his businessman-brother Dominic Sytin inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
In an 11-page decision penned by Associate Justice Germano Francisco Legaspi, the CA’s Eleventh Division held that the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila did not commit grave abuse of discretion in denying Alan Dennis’ petition for bail in connection with the murder and frustrated murder charges against him.
The trial court, in its July 21, 2025 order and Dec. 23, 2025 resolution, denied his plea for bail after finding that the evidence of guilt for murder was strong.
The RTC also considered Alan Dennis a flight risk after he admitted evading arrest for five years by fleeing to Malaysia despite outstanding arrest warrants and a hold departure order against him.
In his petition before the CA, Alan Dennis argued that the Manila RTC’s denial of his bail plea was void for being defective in form and substance.
He said the order failed to contain a summary of the evidence presented during the bail hearings.
Alan Dennis also insisted that the testimonies of gunman Edgardo Luib and alleged co-conspirator Ryan Rementilla identifying him as the mastermind were not corroborated by independent evidence.
He pointed to inconsistencies in the sworn statements of Luib and Rementilla, particularly on the dates of their alleged meetings, the source of the murder weapon, the promised payment and details of the getaway vehicle.
Alan Dennis also argued that it was physically impossible for him to have attended an alleged meeting with Luib and Rementilla in Subic on Nov. 4, 2018 because he was in Metro Manila with his family celebrating his son’s birthday.
He further maintained that his flight to Malaysia should not be construed as an indication of guilt, saying he left the country to protect his family and continue running his business.
The CA, however, held that the inconsistencies in the statements of Luib and Rementilla ‘are minor and insufficient to discredit the testimonies.’
It said the inconsistencies ‘do not negate the positive identification of petitioner nor weaken the strong evidence of guilt against him.’
‘It is settled that as long as the testimonies of the witnesses corroborate one another on material points, minor inconsistencies therein cannot destroy their credibility,’ the CA ruled.
‘Further, issues revolving on matters of credibility of witnesses, the findings of fact of the trial court, its calibration of the testimonies of the witnesses, and its assessment of the probative weight thereof, as well as its conclusions anchored on said findings, are accorded high respect, if not conclusive effect because the trial court has the unique opportunity to observe the demeanor of witnesses and is in the best position to discern whether they are telling the truth,’ it added.
Court records showed that Rementilla was formerly employed by United Auctioneers Inc. (UAI), which was headed by Dominic, before he was fired for allegedly embezzling P1 million from the company.
According to the prosecution, Rementilla introduced Luib to Alan Dennis, who allegedly wanted his brother killed.
During a meeting with Alan Dennis, Luib allegedly agreed to carry out the killing in exchange for payment.
Dominic was shot and killed on Nov. 28, 2018.
Luib was arrested in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, on March 5, 2019 on outstanding warrants in several murder cases, including the killings of journalist Mae Magsino and Bauan, Batangas Municipal Councilor Michael Caringal.
He subsequently executed an extrajudicial confession identifying Alan Dennis as the alleged mastermind in Dominic’s killing.
In 2019, the Olongapo City RTC sentenced Luib to reclusion perpetua for murder and a prison term of six to 12 years for frustrated murder over the injuries sustained by Dominic’s bodyguard, Efren Espartero.
Luib also implicated Rementilla in the killing.
Following his arrest, Rementilla admitted acting as a middleman between Alan Dennis and Luib.
Alan Dennis was arrested in Malaysia on March 22, 2025 and subsequently returned to the Philippines to stand trial for the killing of his brother.