MANILA, Philippines - Three officials of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) implicated in the kidnapping and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo in October last year have been formally charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
NBI National Capital Region director Ricardo Diaz, deputy for investigation services Jose Yap and Task Force against illegal drugs head Roel Bolivar were included in a supplemental complaint filed by the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) before the DOJ recently.
In the amended complaint, the AKG also named Superintendent Rafael Dumlao, chief of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG), Gerardo Santiago and NBI striker Jerry Omlang as respondents.
Santiago and Omlang backed the claim of Senior Police Officer 3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, who allegedly strangled Jee at Camp Crame, that Dumlao masterminded the crime.
Santiago, a former police officer and owner of the Gream Funeral Homes in Caloocan City where Jee’s remains were cremated, has applied for inclusion in the government’s witness protection program after surrendering to the NBI.
Also named respondents are five employees of Gream: Epephany Gotera, Teodolito Macato Tarepe, Kevin Enriquez, Robert John Tobias and Bernardo Maraya.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II relieved the three NBI officials from their posts after Dumlao claimed that they were involved in Jee’s kidnapping.
The DOJ initially filed charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide against Sta. Isabel, SPO4 Roy Villegas and Ramon Yalung before the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 58 in Pampanga.
The new complaint amended the charges to kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention with homicide, robbery, car theft, obstruction of justice and falsification of public documents.
The DOJ panel composed of Senior Assistant State Prosecutors Juan Pedro Navera and Olivia Torrevillas gave the respondents until the next hearing on March 2 to submit their counter-affidavits.