Bato on NBI custody of Sta.Isabel: We cannot question court
Accused kidnap-slay mastermind SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel was transfered to the Philippine National Police from the National Bureau of Investigation on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. STAR/Edd Gumban, file
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa would have wanted SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, accused of being the mastermind in the kidnap-slay of a Korean businessman, in police custody.
A Pampanga court approved Sta. Isabel's motion, however, to be returned to the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation over security concerns.
Sta. Isabel was transferred to the NBI Detention Center as Judge Irineo Pangilinan Jr. of Angeles City Regional Trial Court granted the request made through his lawyers from the Public Attorney's Office.
The accused police officer expressed fear for his life under PNP custody after he tagged several officers, including Superintendent Rafael Dumlao III, in the killing of Jee Ick Joo at Camp Crame in October.
“Accused (Sta. Isabel) will be safer in the custody of the NBI than with the PNP considering that this case not only involves him but also several high-ranking and powerful officials who are still connected with the PNP organization,” the motion read .
With his transfer, PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa had only respect for the court as much as he wanted Sta. Isabel under his watch.
“We cannot question the decision of the court,” the nation’s top cop said in an interview in Pampanga last Wednesday.
“Kahit gusto namin (custody of Sta. Isabel)… granted ang motion, wala tayong magagawa,” he added.
Pangilinan also granted Sta. Isabel's motion to order the Department of Justice to reinvestigate the case.
Sta. Isabel surrendered to the NBI on January 15, days after his name was linked to the death of Jee.
However, he was transferred to PNP custody after the Angeles court released an arrest warrant against him.
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