Korea concerned for nationals after death of kidnapped bizman
MANILA, Philippines – The South Korean Embassy in Manila expressed concern for over 90,000 Koreans living in the Philippines after an “innocent” businessman was allegedly abducted and later killed by cops.
The embassy said in a statement released on Thursday that they were shocked by the “the unfortunate incident” that happened to Jee Ick-joo who was kidnapped by armed men, including a police officer, outside his house in Angeles City last October 2016.
“We are very much shocked that an innocent Korean businessman became a victim of the heinous crime committed by a group led by police officers under the pretext of performing official duties,” the embassy said while expressing strong regrets.
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They also urged the Philippine authorities to file charges against the nine suspects who are now on the lookout bulletin of the Bureau of Immigration as ordered by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.
“We call upon the Philippine authorities to thoroughly conduct the investigation so that the facts of the matter should be brought to light and that those responsible must be brought to justice,” the embassy continued.
“We expect the Philippine authorities’ positive efforts to prevent this kind of case from happening again,” they added.
The National Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday that Jee was killed by the suspects despite having received a ransom of P5 million.
The NBI said Jee’s remains were cremated in a funeral parlor in Bagbaguin, Caloocan City. Five of its employees have already been taken in for questioning.
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Alleged mastermind Senior Police Officer 3 Ricky Sta. Isabel of the Philippine National Police-Anti Illegal Drugs Group surrendered to the NBI on Saturday, while three more police officers have been placed under restrictive custody.
Jee was invited by the cops for questioning over his alleged involvement in illegal drugs but his family was later asked to pay ransom in exchange for his life.
However, Senior Superintendent Albert Ferro, Anti-Illegal Drugs Group director, confirmed that the businessman’s name is not included in the AIDG’s list of drug suspects.
The supposed operation was tagged as “tokhang for ransom” taken from the “Oplan Tokhang” of the PNP, where they ask drug suspects to give up their illegal activities or face the consequences.
PNP Director General Ronald Dela Rosa earlier said that Sta. Isabel was being protected by a retired police general who was included the alleged “narco generals” earlier named by President Rodrigo Duterte.
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