PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) Chief Director-General Ronald M. dela Rosa on Monday maintained his earlier statements about the killing of Korean businessman Ick Joo Jee in the PNP’s headquarters in Camp Crame, as he questioned recent statements by prime suspect SPO 3 Ricky M. Sta. Isabel implicating his superior, relieved Police Supt. Rafael Dumlao, in Mr. Jee’s kidnapping and murder.

PNP Chief Ronald Bato Dela Rosa together with Sr. Supt. Glen Dumlao speaks at Camp Crame headquarters yesterday regarding the Korean National which was slayed at Camp Crame in relation to Tokhang for ransom Case. (photo by Michael Varcas)

Mr. Dela Rosa in a press conference on Monday said he talked with Mr. Sta. Isabel last Sunday at the PNP custodial center where the suspect is detained. The PNP chief declined to disclose the details of their conversation, but said what Mr. Sta. Isabel told him was “parang puro self defense, alibi ’yung taong naiipit na gumagawa ng storya (like it’s all self defense, alibi of a person forced to make up stories).”

Mr. Dela Rosa said he might not be a graduate of psychology but his experience in handling sensational crimes tells him Mr. Sta. Isabel must be hiding something.

“I have been investigating sensational cases noon pa. Alam ko na yung taong nagsisinungaling. Hindi ko priniprejudge ha, I am not [a] judge. Sabihin na naman nung asawa hindi ako judge but I am the chief PNP. I know my men (I have been investigating sensational cases way back. I know when a person is lying. I am not prejudging, I am not a judge. The spouse may say I am not a judge but I am the chief PNP. I know my men),” the PNP chief said.

He also said he will have Mr. Sta. Isabel’s wife investigated and will not allow her to get in the way of the truth. Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II had earlier hinted that she may stand witness in the case of kidnapping with homicide against Mr. Jee’s killers.

“We will consider lahat ng information na ibibigay niya but we will not be guided or we will not be dictated by the wishes nung asawa na yan. Because for all we know she is the wife of the main suspect. So bakit naman susundin kung ano gusto niya? Hindi niya kami pwede diktahan sa aming imbestigasyon.”

(We will consider all the information she gave but we will not be guided or we will not be dictated by the wishes of that spouse. Because for all we know she is the wife of the main suspect. So why would we do what she wants? We cannot be dictated in our investigation.)

Mr. Dela Rosa also said another Korean national had been kidnapped by a police officer in Angeles City, Pampanga, last December but he declined to give any further details.

The PNP chief vowed “no coverup.”

“Ang coverup na gagawin natin e cocoveran natin ng lupa yang mga pulis na yan (The only cover up we will do is cover those policemen with dirt),” he said. — J.C.V. Doctolero

PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa together with Sr. Supt. Glen Dumlao speaks at Camp Crame headquarters yesterday regarding the Korean National who was slayed at Camp Crame in relation to Tokhang for ransom case. — Philippine Star_Michael Varcas

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR