Jee Ick-Joo slay: DOJ files raps vs Dumlao; one suspect cleared

PNP Supt. Raphael Dumlao during the Senate Hearing on the murder of Korean National Jee Ick Joo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / ALEXIS CORPUZ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday filed a string of criminal cases against former official of the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (PNP-AIDG) Superintendent Rafael Dumlao for the death of South Korean executive Jee Ick-Joo in October last year.

BACKSTORY: Dumlao denies masterminding abduction, killing of Jee Ick-Joo

Aside from homicide, Dumlao is also facing a case for violation of Republic Act 6539 or the Anti-Carnapping Law and Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention for the abduction of Marisa Dawis, Jee’s house help.

Also facing a case for homicide is National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) striker Jerry Omlang while Gerardo “Ding” Santiago, owner of the Gream Funeral Homes where Jee’s body was taken has been included as accessory.
The DOJ also affirmed its earlier decision to file a case of complex crime of kidnapping with homicide against Senior Police Office 3 (SPO3) Ricky Sta. Isabel and SPO4 Roy Villegas.

READ: 2 police officers, 1 other charged for killing of Sokor businessman

Sta. Isabel and Villegas are also facing cases for carnapping and kidnapping and serious illegal detention for the abduction of Dawis.

In the latest resolution, however, the DOJ cleared Ramon Yalung, one of the original accused in the case.

“The only evidence that links respondent Yalung in the kidnapping of the victim is the security logbook, which indicates that one of the cars used by the Yalung family in their car rental business, a Toyota Innova (TXS 763) was inside Friendship Plaza Subdivision when the abduction took place,” the DOJ resolution stated.

The resolution pointed out that none of the other accused—Sta. Isabel, Villegas and Omlang identified Yalung as among those who took part in Jee’s abduction and eventual killing.

The DOJ also cleared Christopher Alan V. Gruenberg, owner of the black Nissan Exalta used in the abduction of Jee.

The DOJ noted that Gruenberg was able to present evidence that he already sold his vehicle in 2010. Also, the DOJ noted that Yalung, in his affidavit admitted that he is already the owner of the same vehicle which was immediately sold for P100,000 after the death of Jee.

On Wednesday, Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 58 Judge Irineo Pangilinan Jr. set the deadline for the DOJ to finish its reinvestigation. The DOJ resolution, as well as the amended information have been submitted before the court.

The DOJ resolution was signed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutors Juan Pedro C. Navera and Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas and Assistant State Prosecutor Ethel Rea Suril. It was recommended for approval by OIC Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Lilian Doris Serranilla-Alejo and approved by Prosecutor General Victor C. Sepulveda. IDL