Gordon eyes Senate probe if NBI fails to prosecute cops in Korean’s slay

Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon . (PRIB Photo by Cesar Tomambo via Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA—If the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) fails to prosecute policemen involved in the killing of a Korean businessman, Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon on Friday warned that the Senate would conduct its own probe in aid of legislation.

“I will investigate because the latest reports on the case behooves me to conduct an inquiry,” Gordon said clarifying that because the Senate is not a criminal investigation body and could not make prosecutions.

Gordon said the committee he chairs, the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, has the authority to conduct “motu proprio” investigations on issues of public interest.

To date, the Department of Justice (DOJ) found probable cause to file kidnapping for ransom with homicide against two policemen and five others in connection with the abduction and killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo.

The NBI, an attached agency of the DOJ, was tasked to investigate the kidnapping and murder of Jee, who was abducted from his home in Angeles City, Pampanga by armed men last Oct.

18, 2016.

On Thursday, reports showed that the businessman was killed inside Camp Crame.

Cops facing charges include SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, SPO4 Roy Villegas, Ramon Yalung and four persons identified only under the aliases “Pulis,” “Jerry,” “”Sir Dumlao” and “Ding”.