Suspect in slay of Tiong San owner identified

Manhunt launched in Pangasinan

BAGUIO CITY -- Police have launched a manhunt for a suspect in the killing of businessman Henry Tan Lao, whose family owns the Tiongsan chain of department stores here and in Benguet, a hotel and gasoline stations.

Lao was found at his residence here Dec. 1which shocked this city over the brutal slay.

Police identified the suspect as a certain Arjay Pasamonte, who reportedly fled to his hometown in Pangasinan. 

A police report said the murder was reported at about 10:30 a.m. of Dec. 1 by SPO1 Jackson Pabillo.

The killing transpired at No. 232 Happy Homes, Barangay Ferdinand here where the 68-year-old Lao resided.

Investigation disclosed that at about 9 a.m. Tuesday, the sales lady of Lao, requested the businessman’s security, a certain SPO2 Jimmy Valdez to check on her boss who did not yet report at his Supermart.

Immediately, Valdez proceeded at the residence of Lao and found his lifeless and bloodied body totally naked and lying sideways on the foam placed on the floor inside his room. 

A witness said the night Lao was killed, he heard him faintly pleading for his life to a person inside his house.

Moments later, he saw a man who seemed nervous and disturbed going out of the house.   

Neighbors said they heard a noise and saw a man leaving the victim’s house at around 11 p.m. on Monday.

Lao was recently caught on video scolding a customer he accused of theft at his department store.

The trade department sent Lao to a seminar for customer relations over the incident.