Wife of cop in Korean’s slay may stand witness

JUSTICE SECRETARY Vitaliano N. Aguirre II on Sunday said the wife of Special Police Officer (SPO)-3 Ricky M. Sta. Isabel may stand witness in the case of kidnapping with homicide of Korean business, Ick Joo Jee.

In a text message, Mr. Aguirre said Jinky Sta. Isabel, wife of Mr. Sta. Isabel, may stand witness in the case since “meron s’yang personal na kaalaman sa ilang aspeto ng kaso (she has personal knowledge of some aspects of the case).”

Last Friday, Mrs. Sta. Isabel met with Mr. Aguirre at the Department of Justice (DoJ). Mr. Aguirre told reporters later that day that he and Mrs. Sta. Isabel talked for “around three hours.”

“Marami siyang isinalaysay doon sa mga facts but mabuti na yung ma-reduce na muna sa writing para eksakto ang sasabihin natin kasi mahaba (She recounted a lot with regards to the facts, but it is better to put this into writing so that what we will say will be precise because it’s long),” Mr. Aguirre also said.

Mr. Sta. Isabel is the prime suspect in the kidnapping and homicide of Mr. Jee, who was allegedly strangled by Mr. Sta. Isabel right in the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Mr. Jee, together with his house servant Marisa M. Moriquicho, was abducted from his home in Angeles City, Pampanga on Oct. 18, 2016 by men who identified themselves as police officers. They were brought to Camp Crame the same night, but Ms. Moriquicho was later released.

Based on the sworn statement of co-accused SPO4 Roy Villegas, which was cited in the Department of Justice (DoJ) resolution penned by Assistant State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas issued on Jan. 17, it was Mr. Sta. Isabel who strangled Mr. Jee.

Of the seven suspects in the kidnapping with homicide case, only three have been identified. Aside from Messrs. Sta. Isabel and Villegas, also facing charges of kidnapping with homicide are Ramon V. Yalung and four others so far identified only with the aliases “Pulis,” “Jerry,” “Sir Dumlao,” and “Ding.”

Mr. Aguirre, when asked if Mrs. Sta. Isabel disclosed other personalities involved in the kidnapping-homicide, said: “[Mrs. Sta. Isabel] did not specifically point to Atty. Rafael [Dumlao III], but by her narration, [it] is apparent [that he is] the Dumlao referred to,” Mr. Aguirre added.

Mr. Dumlao, a police superintendent of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (PNP-AIDG). He was relieved over the weekend from his post and placed under restrictive custody, upon orders by PNP Chief Director-General Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa.

Following the warrant of arrest issued by Angeles City, Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 58, Mr. Sta. Isabel was transferred to the custody of the PNP from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday, Jan. 20. Mr. Aguirre said the PNP holds the authority for the warrant.

For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said on Sunday: “We are outraged by the abduction and slay of a South Korean executive inside Camp Crame. We assure everyone that there will be no whitewash or cover-up. We will not tolerate corrupt, abusive, errant policemen who betray the organization and the men and women in uniform who continue their faithful, dedicated and loyal service to the country.” — with Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral