No Korean mafia involved in Jee’s kidnap-slay—NBI, PNP

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said they had no proof of the presence of an alleged “Korean mafia” in the country. (Photo by Ramon FVelasquez (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA—The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said they had no proof of the presence of an alleged “Korean mafia” in the country.

During the resumption of the Senate panel probe into ‘tokhang for ransom’ cases involving rogue policemen, NBI Asst. Director Medardo Delemos said that although there were some organized criminal groups, the agency could not confirm if there is indeed a Korean mafia.

PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) Director Sr. Supt. Glenn Dumlao, meanwhile, said that there was no evidence that a Korean mafia is involved in the abduction-killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo.

Dumlao, however, said that the agency had one person of interest in the case: A Korean national who goes by the name “Edward Yu-on” who reportedly asked money from Jee’s wife after he was abducted.

He said that Yu-on, who is currently at large, reportedly asked for money before the ransom negotiations took place.

Last January 26, PNP-AKG Legal Officer Supt. Dennis Wagas revealed that Jee was killed immediately after he was abducted on Oct. 18, 2016. However, the PNP only reported the incident last Jan 19, 2017.

Cops currently facing charges for their alleged involvement in the abduction and killing are SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, SPO4 Roy Villegas, Ramon Yalung and four persons identified only under by their aliases.

Sta. Isabel repeatedly denied being involved in Jee’s abduction and killing and blamed PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group – Pampanga (AIDG) head Superintendent Rafael Dumlao for having facilitated Jee’s abduction and killing.

Dumlao, however, denied Sta. Isabel’s allegations stressing that he did not even belong to his unit.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) and PNP’s Internal Affairs Service meanwhile assured Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, to resolve Jee’s case by March. (PNA)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier ordered the NBI and PNP to jointly look into the possible involvement of a Korean mafia in connection to Jee’s case.

DOJ has also contacted the South Korean Embassy in Manila for information on the Korean mafia allegedly operating in the country.