Slain Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo. INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines — A regional trial court in Pampanga on Tuesday found guilty a policeman and an errand boy at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the death of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo.
However, the Angeles City Regional Trial Court acquitted the alleged mastermind, Superintendent Rafael Dumlao, due to the prosecution’s failure to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Dumlao was granted temporary liberty in 2019.
READ: Court allows ‘brains’ of Jee Ick Joo killing to post bail
Meanwhile, meted with imprisonment of up to 40 years by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court are Police Chief Master Sergeant (previously SPO3) Ricky Sta. Isabel and NBI errand boy Jerry Omlang.
The two were also convicted for the abduction of Marissa Marquicho, Jee’s helper, and carjacking Jee’s vehicle. They will both be getting another 22 to 25 years imprisonment.
Another accused in the case–SP04 Roy Villegas–became a state witness in the case.
Jee and his house help were abducted from the businessman’s house in Angeles City in October 2016. His house help was released, but Jee was strangled to death inside his SUV while parked inside Camp Crame, the country’s main police headquarters.
His body was taken to Gream Funeral Services and eventually cremated, his ashes were flushed down a toilet based on witnesses’ testimony.
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