An interpreter allegedly linked to the gruesome killing and dismemberment of an unidentified man whose remains were stuffed inside a blue drum and dumped in Manila was arrested in a backtracking operation by the Pasay City Police.

Pasay City Police Chief Col. Joselito De Sesto identified the suspect as Victor, 64, who was arrested at the 2202 Residence Condominium along Roxas Boulevard.

Investigators said Victor was believed to have assisted a Chinese national in disposing of the victim’s chopped body, which was later discovered inside a blue drum abandoned along Delpan Sports Complex on Mel Lopez Boulevard (northbound), Barangay 275, Zone 3, Binondo, Manila, at around 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 15.

The arrest followed information provided by a van driver, identified as Omar, 64, who told his operator, Francisco, 59, that their vehicle had been implicated in a murder case involving a dismembered body found in Manila.

Police said Francisco reported that the van had been rented by Victor for P2,500.

A condominium security guard, Rolencio, told investigators that Victor was accompanied by a chubby Chinese national when they transported the blue drum from the 15th floor of the building and loaded it into the van before leaving the area.

Members of the Highway Patrol Group coordinated with the Pasay police and confirmed that the van used in the incident had been rented by Victor, a resident of Mactan Street, Barangay Baclaran, Parañaque City.

Authorities also coordinated with the Manila Police District following the suspect’s arrest. He was later brought back to the condominium where the crime was allegedly committed.

A review of CCTV footage reportedly showed Victor and the Chinese national pushing the blue drum while loading it into the vehicle.

Victor is now detained at the Pasay City Police Investigation and Detective Management Section custodial facility pending documentation for inquest proceedings before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.