‘Cops in Korean trader’s slay don’t represent PNP’

MANILA, Philippines — Two years after Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo was murdered at Camp Crame, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said yesterday the police officers accused of the killing do not represent the PNP.

He issued the statement as friends and relatives of the businessman commemmorated Jee’s second death anniversary by lighting candles and laying flowers at the site where he was killed.

Records showed that Jee was killed in his black Ford Explorer parked just outside the buildings of the PNP’s Public Information Office and Police Community Relations Group.

Albayalde said he “hopes they understand this was done only by a few and it does not reflect the standard of discipline we have in the PNP.”

One of the Koreans, who asked not to be identified, said, “I hope your government, your justice investigate very well and find the suspects and to have punishment, to have justice. If we are not here, they will forget.”

Investigators said Jee was taken from his house in Angeles, Pampanga under the guise of anti-drug operation.

Jee’s widow said his kidnappers asked her for ransom.

Jee’s head was wrapped with packing tape before he was strangled to death, allegedly by Senior Police Officer 3 Ricky Sta. Isabel.

The murder of Jee, prompted some sectors to call for the resignation of then PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa, who offered to step down but was prevented by President Duterte.

Last April, Angeles City Judge Irineo Pangilinan of Regional Trial Court Branch 58 ordered the arrest of Superintendent Rafael Dumlao III for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

No bail was recommended for the former official of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group.

Dumlao has been under restrictive custody at Camp Crame.

The other accused – Sta. Isabel, Senior Police Officer 4 Roy Villegas and Jerry Omlang – have accused Dumlao of masterminding Jee’s kidnap and murder.