Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said yesterday that one of the suspected policemen involved in the kidnapping of Korean Jee Ick-Joo could become a state witness in the case.
The Secretary explained that Senior Police Officer 3 Ricky Sta. Isabel may be placed in the Witness Protection Program (WPP) because of what he knows in the kidnapping case.
“Posible kasi s’ya ang nakakaalam ng lahat,” Aguirre said.
Sta. Isabel surrendered last Sunday and has been in the protective of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The secretary disclosed that Sta. Isabel has already talked of what he knows of the case but has yet to make a sworn affidavit.
“Nagsalita na pero hindi nare-reduce sa written statement,” he said.
Aguirre explained that taking his sworn affidavit did not push through after Sta. Isabel’s lawyer walked out following a misunderstanding with his client.
Aguirre said investigation in ongoing to determine the extent of possible involvement of some high-ranking police officials in the kidnapping and killing of Joo.
“Meron doon sa mga nakapaligid kay sa PNP kay General Bato (PNP Director General Roland Dela Rosa) maaring posible kasama,” Aguirre said.
Isabel has been placed in the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) upon the order of Aguirre despite his surrender.
“Considering the gravity of the offense, there is a strong possibility that SPO3 Sta. Isabel may attempt to place himself beyond the reach of the legal processes of this Department by leaving the country,” read Aguirre’s memorandum.
“We thus deem the issuance of an ILBO against the subject person prudent in order to at least monitor the itineraries of his flight travel, and/or whereabouts,” it stated.
PROBABLE CAUSE
In a related development, Department of Justice (DoJ) prosecutors have found probable cause to indict seven suspects including policemen in the kidnap-for-ransom and the killing of Ick-Joo.
In a seven-page resolution dated January 17, DoJ prosecutors recommended the filing of kidnapping for ransom with homicide charges against SPO3 Sta. Isabel, SPO4 Roy Villegas, Ramon Yalong, and four other “John Does” known only through the aliases as Pulis, Jerry, Sir Dumlao, and Ding.
DoJ prosecutors will file the criminal case in Angeles City, Pampanga.
“As the victim was killed during and in the course of his detention, respondents who acted in conspiracy are liable for the special complex crime of kidnapping for ransom with homicide,” read the resolution prepared by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas and Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Lilian Doris Seranilla-Alejo and approved by Prosecutor General Victor Sepulveda.
“In this case, it was respondent Sta. Isabel who killed the victim by strangulation,” stressed prosecutors who cited the sworn affidavits of Villegas and PO2 Christopher Baldovino, both members of the PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG). (JEFFREY G. DAMICOG)