MANILA — State prosecutors asked the Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to hand down a travel ban against Police Lt. Col. Rafael P. Dumlao, the government’s highest-ranking suspect in the abduction and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo, three years ago.
Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro C. Navera sought a hold departure order from RTC Branch 56 Judge Irin Zenaida S. Buan after the latter ruled to allow bail for Dumlao last April 24.
“In order not to frustrate the ends of justice, as when the accused retreat to another country in order to escape prosecution, it is imperative that a hold departure order (HDO) be issued directing the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration to prevent (Dumlao) from leaving the Philippines during the pendency of these cases,” prosecutors said in their motion dated May 6.
In its 32-page order, the court, in allowing temporary liberty for Dumlao, said the prosecution witnesses’ “testimonies did not point to any specific act committed by accused Dumlao that could be interpreted as one done in furtherance of the alleged conspiracy to abduct and kill the victim.”
“The evidence of guilt not being strong. The Court hereby grants the petition for bail of accused (Police Lt. Col.) Rafael Dumlao III,”Judge Buan said but claimed that it is not a final ruling on the former’s innocence or guilt.
“It has been held that it is not an uncommon occurrence that an accused person granted bail is convicted in due course,” Judge Buan said.
The magistrate noted as insufficient the testimony of Police Corporal Christopher Baldovino and Police Executive Master Sergeant Roy Villegas that he heard the phone conversation between Dumlao and Police Executive Master Sergeant Ricky Sta Sta. Isabel when the former inquired from the latter about a Oct. 4, 2016 operation surveillance in Caloocan, days before the Oct. 18, 2016 operation where Jee Ick Joo was abducted.
Dumlao and his co-accused are facing charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention and carnapping.
Sta. Isabel, Jerry Omlang and Dumlao are charged with kidnapping for ransom and homicide, while Gerardo “Ding” Santiago, owner of the Gream Funeral Services in Caloocan City where the body of the South Korean businessman was brought, was charged as an accessory to the crime.
Omlang is an errand boy at the NBI who surrendered and confessed to his participation in the crime.
Villegas was included in the case but was dropped from the charge sheet to become a state witness.