Dumlao, 3 others plead not guilty to abducting Jee’s househelp

Four accused, including three policemen, on Friday pleaded not guilty to the abduction of Marisa Dawis Morquicho, househelp of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo. (PNA photo)

MANILA—Four accused, including three policemen, on Friday pleaded not guilty to the abduction of Marisa Dawis Morquicho, househelp of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo.

Philippine National Police’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (PNP-AIDG) head in Pampanga Superintendent Rafael Dumlao, Senior Police Office 3 (SPO3) Ricky Sta. Isabel and SPO4 Roy Villegas and Jerry Omlang are facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention and carnapping cases before the Angeles City, Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 58 Presiding Judge Irineo PangilinanJr.

The four accused pleaded not guilty to the abduction of Morquicho.

The case is for the abduction of Morquicho, who along with Jee were abducted from their house in Friendship Plaza Subdivision in Pampanga on October 2016. Their vehicle, a black Ford Expedition (ABT-1915) was also taken.

“Arraigned in a language known and understood by them, each accused in the presence and with the assistance of their respective counsels, pleaded not guilty of each offense charged,” Pangilinan said in his two-page court order.

The court also set the pre-trial on July 19, 2017.

All the accused are also facing a case for homicide for the death of Jee. Also included in the homicide case is Gream Funeral Services owner Gerardo “Ding” Santiago who has been included as accessory.

Arraignment for the homicide is set on May 31.

Meanwhile, Pangilinan also granted the motion of Omlang to be detained at the custodial center of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“Acting on the urgent ex-parte motion to allow accused Jerry Omlang in Custodial Center of National Bureau of Investigaiton due to risk of his life and safety, with a prayer, which the court finds to be meritorious is hereby granted,” the court said.