DOJ to Pampanga judge: Inhibit from Jee Ick-joo cases

MANILA, Philippines — The prosecution panel has asked an Angeles City judge to inhibit from handling the cases in connection with the murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo.

In a 12-page motion, Department of Justice prosecutors Juan Pedro Navera, Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas and Ethel Rea Suril said Regional Trial Court Branch 56 Judge Irin Zenaida Buan could not continue to handle the cases with fairness and impartiality after she allowed the alleged mastermind, Col. Rafael Dumlao, to post bail.  

Buan granted Dumlao’s petition for bail in a ruling on April 24, saying the prosecution failed to prove that the evidence of guilt against him is strong.

She recommended bail of P300,000 for each of the homicide, kidnapping and illegal detention and carjacking cases Dumlao is facing. 

“The presiding judge had peculiarly exhibited bias and prejudice in favor of... Dumlao. The prosecution cannot but notice that certain crucial facts were not even recited, but instead inexplicably avoided,” the motion read.

Allowing Dumlao to post bail “smacks of discriminatory treatment to the other accused,” the prosecutors added.

They cited the testimonies of state witness Roy Villegas and Cristopher Baldovino, another police officer, that Dumlao is the brains in the kidnapping.

Jee was kidnapped with his house helper Marisa Morquicho on Oct. 18, 2016.

Morquicho was released, but Jee was killed at Camp Crame. He was cremated and his ashes were flushed in the toilet.