(Eagle News) — The South Korean government is asking the Philippine government for an explanation regarding the murder of one of its nationals who was apparently a kidnap for ransom victim, by certain police officers under the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group.
This came about as Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said other PNP officers could be involved in the kidnapping.
But he refused to name these officers.
The South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se demanded answers after receiving a phone call from Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay to inform him of the murder.
“Minister Yun, expressing grave shock over the implication of Philippine police officers in the case, asked that the Philippine government get to the bottom of the case and bring those responsible to justice,” a foreign ministry spokesman said.
He said SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, who has been identified as the driver of the vehicle used in the kidnapping, was the one who named these police officers. Sta. Isabel had surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) early this week.
Sta. Isabel had sought the NBI’s protective custody. He is facing charges along with two other suspects.
Aguirre said Sta. Isabel had already given a statement earlier to media, to be revealed only if something bad happens to him.
PNP chief director general Ronald Dela Rosa said Sta. Isabel has a “boss” who wanted to destroy the credibility of the Philippine government’s war on drugs.
“Meron siyang bossing na gusto sirain yung war on drugs natin sa PNP, kaya pinasok siya doon sa AIDG. Lalabas ay saboteur siya,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa said this senior police official is allegedly linked to the illegal drug trade.
