Slain Korean’s widow to stay in PH until justice is served

Choi Kyung Jin, the widow of Korean National Jee Ick-joo, is overcome by emotion during the Senate Hearing on the murder of her husband. INQUIRER PHOTO/ ALEXIS CORPUZ

The wife of slain Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo is not leaving the Philippines until justice is served over the abduction and murder of her husband.

During the Senate hearing on alleged “tokhang for ransom” cases on Thursday, Sen. Benigno Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV shared that he was able to have a chitchat with Choi Kyung-jin, who he said had expressed intent in staying in the country until her husband’s murder is resolved.

“She said she will stay in the Philippines and wait until justice is served to her husband. Palagay ko po (I believe) we owe it to her, to the officials who are here, to come to the conclusion of this case as soon as possible,” Aquino said before the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs suspended its session.

“Isipin n’yo po, nangyari na ‘yan sa bansa natin, and yet she is going to stay here and wait for the resolution of this case. Palagay ko po sa kasong ito, malinaw na ang mga personalities involved—ang kailangan na lang alamin ay ang accountabilities at actions. Baka kahit papano, with our speedy resolution, baka kahit papaano mabalik nang kaunti ang tiwala,” he added.

READ: Palace vows justice for Jee Ick-joo

(Think about it, her husband was killed in our country, yet she is going to stay here and wait for the resolution of this case. I think that in this case, it’s already clear who the personalities involved are—we just have to determine the accountabilities and actions. Perhaps with the speedy resolution to the case, we can earn back the trust.)

For her part, a teary-eyed Mrs. Choi said justice must be served “by showing that criminals are being penalized for the offense they are doing.”

READ: Wife of slain Korean: What did we do to deserve this?

“We’ll be keeping an eye out until justice is served and until the end of this case. It’s not only Filipino  citizens but also Korean citizens here in the Philippines and in Korea who are keeping an eye on this situation,” the wife said in a message translated in English by an interpreter.

Jee was taken from his home in Angeles, Pampanga last October 18, 2016 by policemen allegedly led by Sta. Isabel of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs group in the guise of a drug operation. It was later revealed that the businessman was killed inside the police headquarters in Camp Crame the same day he was abducted.

The Senate panel is set to resume its investigation next week. IDL