POLICE SUPERINTENDENT Rafael P. Dumlao III, alleged mastermind in the kidnap-murder of Korean businessman Ick Joo Jee, has appealed for provisional liberty before a local trial court.

In a three-page petition filed before the Angeles City Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 58, Mr. Dumlao asked to be allowed to post bail for the charge of kidnapping for ransom with homicide.

Mr. Dumlao challenged the evidence against him, saying it was not strong enough and that he was able to defend his innocence in his counter-affidavit.

“For failure to establish the participation of [Mr.] Dumlao vis-a-vis all the elements of the crimes charged, the evidence against the accused is rendered weak — at the very least — and gives ground for the grant of bail,” the petition reads.

Part of Mr. Dumlao’s counter-affidavit reads: “The testimony of witnesses and records of the investigation have no showing that I performed any overt act that would make me liable for the crime of kidnapping for ransom and illegal detention with homicide. It is crystal clear that I was never present in the kidnapping and/or detention of the victims, including the event of his eventual demise.”

Also charged for kidnapping for ransom and homicide are Senior Police Office (SPO)3 Ricky M. Sta. Isabel, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) “striker” Jerry Omlang, and Roy T. Villegas; while GREAM Funeral Services owner Gerardo G. Santiago was charged as an accessory to the crime.

Mr. Jee was kidnapped from his residence in Angeles City, Pampanga on Oct. 18 last year. The same night, he was brought to the police headquarters in Camp Crame where he was allegedly strangled to death by Mr. Sta. Isabel.

All the accused have been arraigned before the sala of Angeles City RTC Branch 58 Presiding Judge Irineo Pangilinan, Jr. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

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