Envoy seeks speedy trial of cops in kidnap-slay of Korean

MINALIN, Pampanga — Korean Ambassador Han Dong-man on Tuesday urged the government to speed up the trial of policemen accused of abducting Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo in Angeles City and then killing him inside Camp Crame, the national police headquarters, on Oct. 18, 2016.

Han said he had met with officials of the Department of Justice and Philippine National Police concerning the trial of Supt. Rafael Dumlao, SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel and Jerry Omlang, a civilian.

The three, along with retired policeman Gerardo Santiago, were charged with kidnapping for ransom with homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and car theft.

Jee was strangled to death inside Camp Crame on the same day he was abducted. His remains were cremated and the ashes reportedly flushed down the toilet.

“I respect your trial but it’s better to see some speedy trial,” Han said after the launch of the Korean-funded Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation project.

“Crimes against Koreans dropped very sharply, so I’m very happy,” Han said as he thanked President Duterte for ensuring the safety of 1.6 million Korean tourists.

In 2016, 10 Koreans were killed in the country. Another Korean was killed in 2017 while three more were killed this year, according to the police.

Former Ambassador Kim Jae-Shin said more than 90,000 Koreans live in the country. Around 20,000 of them make Pampanga their home, like Jee who was taken along with his maid, Marisa Morquicho, during a supposed drug operation under “Oplan Tokhang.”

Dumlao, Sta. Isabel and Omlang were ordered transferred to the Angeles City jail in August. —Tonette Orejas