NBI to continue probe on S. Korean kidnap-slay case—DOJ

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Friday said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will still continue the probe on the kidnap-slay of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo. (Photo: President Rodrigo Duterte Supporters/Facebook)

MANILA—Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Friday said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will still continue the probe on the kidnap-slay of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo.

Even if Choi Kyungjin, wife of slain South Korean national, lost her trust with the NBI, Aguirre said the NBI will continue to investigate since they have already leads to pursue the case.

“More or less, at this stage, they (NBI) would not withdraw from the case because they already have leads that they need to pursue,” Aguirre said in radio interview.

Choi sent a letter to President Rodrigo Duterte dated Feb. 3, appealing to stop the NBI from participating in the ongoing investigation on the murder of her husband.

“I do not trust the NBI to carry out an impartial investigation,” Choi said in her one-page letter.

Choi wanted to exclude the NBI from the investigation following information from Atty. Rafael Dumlao that there are members of the NBI involved in the abduction and murder of her husband.

She said she would prefer the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) to be the sole agency to handle the investigation instead of a joint PNP-NBI probe.

“With the news that several high-ranking NBI personnel might also be involved…I am afraid that this will only further delay the speedy resolution you promised,” Choi said.

Aguirre, however, noted that the NBI has already conducted an in-depth investigation “and they could compare their (findings) based on the advise of Senator Panfilo Lacson… so that we would be able to strengthen the case.”

The NBI argued that they have gathered several evidence and testimonies from people who have come to their office.

They have in their custody some of the alleged suspects in the crime such as PNP Senior Police Officer 3 Ricky Sta. Isabel and NBI errand boy Jerry Omlang.

The NBI also said they also have reportedly in their possession documentary and real evidence such as the broken urn where the ashes of Jee was placed after he was allegedly cremated.

Meanwhile, Choi has also sent a letter to NBI Director Dante Gierran formally withdrawing the criminal complaint she filed before the bureau, specifically its National Capital Region (NCR) Division.

Four officials of the NBI have been relieved from their posts following the statement from former PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group-Pampanga (AIDG) head Superintendent Rafael Dumlao III.

Dumlao has been identified as the brains behind Jee’s abduction and killing based on testimonies of fellow police officer Senior Police Officer 4 Roy Villegas and NBI striker Jerry Omlang.

On Thursday, Senior Police Officer 3 (SPO3) Ricky Sta. Isabel said that no personnel from NBI was involved in the in the kidnap-slay of Jee Ick Joo.

Sta Isabel, who was tagged as the prime suspect in the case, said most of the people who took part in the crime were men under Dumlao.

”Walang NBI na involved dito, puro bata lahat ni Atty. Dumlao dito. Mali ang theory nila na may involved na mga taga-NBI,” Sta. Isabel told reporters after the second preliminary investigation on charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide against Dumlao and seven others on Thursday afternoon.

”Puro lahat tauhan ni Dumlao ang involved dito para magkaroon ng meritorious promotion sila,” he noted.

Dumlao was present in the second hearing on Thursday together with other respondents namely SPO4 Roy Villegas, Gerardo Santiago, Jerry Omlang, Ramon Yalung, and Alan Gruenberg.

During the hearing, Department of Justice (DOJ) panel composed of Senior Assistant State Prosecutors Juan Pedro Navera and Olivia Torrevillas ordered the complainant the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) together with NBI to submit all the documents including the original complaint filed at the Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 58, supplemental and other documents in the current case and also furnish the documents to the legal counsel of the respondents on February 20 (Monday).

The DOJ panel set the next hearing on March 2 at 2 p.m. where the respondents are set to file their respective counter-affidavits in response to the accusations against them.