NBI to probe ‘mafia’ angle in Korean’s kidnap-slay

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II yesterday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to pursue its probe on the possible involvement of fellow South Koreans in the kidnapping and killing of businessman Jee Ick-joo in October last year.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) chief said the NBI would pursue this angle even after being criticized by the South Korean embassy last week over such “unfounded information.”

Aguirre said he already met with South Korean Ambassador Kim Jae Shin last Friday and the latter gave his consent for the pursuit of the “Korean mafia” angle after he “relayed some confidential information.”

The Korean embassy earlier criticized Aguirre for making “misleading statements” about the existence of a so-called Korean mafia at a Senate hearing last week.

“Even some people in the Korean embassy have been compromised by the Korean mafia,” the Justice secretary said without providing evidence on his claim.

The embassy expressed “strong distress” that the information Aguirre gave at the hearing “could tarnish its honor and reputation.”  

Aguirre said he hopes this issue was already clarified during Friday’s meeting.

The DOJ is currently conducting a preliminary reinvestigation on the kidnapping for ransom with homicide charge earlier filed against Senior Police Officer 2 Ricky Sta. Isabel, Senior Police Officer 4 Roy Villegas and Ramon Yalung along with four others with aliases “Sir Dumlao, Jerry, Ding and Pulis.”

Superintendent Rafael Dumlao, official of the police Anti-Illegal Drug Group, and three NBI officials – former NBI deputy director for investigation services Jose “Jojo” Yap; former National Capital Region director Ricardo Diaz and former Task Force against Illegal Drugs head Roel Bolivar – have also been named new respondents in the case.