(Eagle News) – Malacanang assured the public that there will be no cover-up or whitewash in the investigation of police officers involved in the kidnap-slay of Korean businessman Ji Ick-Joo, as it expressed “outrage” about the incident.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella released a statement Sunday saying that the Duterte administration would not tolerate “corrupt, abusive, errant” policemen who were involved in the crime.
“We are outraged by the abduction and slay of a South Korean executive inside Camp Crame,” his statement read.
“We assure everyone that there will be no whitewash or cover-up. We will not tolerate corrupt, abusive, errant policemen who betray the organization and the men and women in uniform who continue their faithful, dedicated and loyal service to the country,” he added.
The abduction of the Korean businessman on October 18 last year, and his killing on the same day inside the Philippine National Police’s headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City shocked and angered the South Korean government, with Foreign Minister Yun Byung-Se demanding those behind the crime be brought to justice.
PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa expressed deep shame and regret after learning of the incident, and vowed to investigate the matter and bring the criminals to justice.
It has also led to calls from House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for Dela Rosa to resign as PNP chief, a call that was rejected by President Duterte.
The victim was allegedly strangled to death by SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel who was arrested on Friday and is now under the custody of the PNP Anti-kidnapping Group in Camp Crame.
Supt. Rafael Dumlao, his team leader in the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (PNP-AIDG), is now placed in restrictive custody after Sta. Isabel pointed to him as the mastermind.
Sta. Isabel, Dumlao and six other police officers, are facing kidnapping for ransom with homicide charges following the recommendation of the Department of Justice resolution finding probable cause to charge the police suspects in court.
Arrest warrants have already been issued against them by an Angeles City trial court.
https://youtu.be/q2PkE3UTio0
