MANILA, Philippines – A new judge has been assigned to handle the case against police officers involved in the death of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo who was killed in 2016 inside the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 60 Judge Eda Dizon-Era took over after Angeles RTC Branch 56 Judge Irin Zenaida Buan recused herself from the case.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the court rescheduled the testimony of Choi Kyun Jin, wife of Jee pending the submission from the Korean Embassy of the official accreditation of a language translator. Hearing is set on Dec. 3.
Aside from Mrs. Choi, the prosecution has around five more witnesses to present before it rests its case.
Accused in the case are Police Col. Rafael Dumlao, former official of the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG), Police Chief Master Sergeant (formerly SPO3) Ricky Sta. Isabel and Gerry Omlang.
They are facing cases for kidnapping for ransom with homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and carnapping.
The DOJ also charged Gerardo “Ding” Santiago, owner of the Gream Funeral Services in Caloocan City as an accessory to the crime.
On the other hand, former accused Police Executive Master Sergeant Roy Villegas was discharged as State Witness.
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