He government wants a swift investigation into the kidnap-slay of a South Korean businessman especially since the world is watching how it will resolve the matter, a Palace official said yesterday.
Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Banaag said they expect authorities to come up with the probe results soon to hold accountable those involved in the crime.
“This is serious matter kasi it involves a foreign national who is staying in the country and maraming mga sensitivities tayo dito and tinitingnan tayo ng ibang bansa kung papaano natin re-resolbahin ito,” Banaag said in interview with DZRB.
“I’m sure they have timelines for the investigation and coming up with a resolution kung sino ‘yung mga dapat na managot tungkol sa krimen na ‘yan,” she added.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II said yesterday that Supt. Rafael Dumlao and other persons linked to the kidnapping and death of Jee Ick Joo cannot be arrested on the basis of the warrant issued by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court.
Aguirre explained that the arrest order against Dumlao, as the regional head of the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group in Pampanga, named him only as “Sir Dumlao.”
“There should first be a clarification from the court and amendment of the arrest warrant that will change the name “Sir Dumlao” to “Supt. Rafael Dumlao” before he could be put under arrest,” he said.
Dumlao has reportedly left the restrictive custody of the PNP in Camp Crame over the weekend with his wife after attending the Senate inquiry on the alleged “tokhang for ransom” case last Thursday.
Aguirre said the same amendment should be done by the trial court for other persons named only as “Pulis,” “Jerry,” and “Ding” in the arrest warrant issued against PO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel in the kidnapping for ransom with homicide case filed by the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group.
In the case of “Ding,” Aguirre said that alias has been identified as that of Gerardo Santiago, the retired police officer who owns the Gream Funeral Parlor in Caloocan City where Jee’s body was cremated.
He said that the alias “Jerry” is a National Bureau of Investigation asset who was allegedly among those who forcibly took the Korean businessman from his home in a supposed anti-narcotics operation.
“This “Jerry” is a confidential informant of the NBI and he has a lot of things to tell on this case,” he said.
Both “Jerry” and Santiago have surrendered to the NBI, Aguirre said, as he explained that the identity of alias “Pulis” is still being determined by the authorities.
President Duterte recently apologized to South Korea after suspected policemen killed Jee inside the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The President said the suspects behind the killing of the South Korean businessman will be meted with the “maximum” punishment. He even warned the policemen involved in Jee’s murder that he will send their heads to South Korea.
Jee was killed inside after being abducted by policemen in the guise of anti-drug operations. The rogue cops reportedly demanded ransom from the family without informing them that Jee was already dead. (Genalyn D. Kabiling and Rey G. Panaligan)