Lacson committee starts probe on Korean’s kidnap-slay

Choi Kyung-jin (left), wife of businessman Jee Ickjoo (right), is expected to appear before the investigation on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, on Jee’s abduction and murder allegedly by rogue policemen involved in “tokhang for ransom.” LYN RILLON / PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER FILE

The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs began on Thursday its investigation on the abduction and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo.

Jee’s wife, Choi Kyung-jin, and the principal accused, SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, are among the resource persons expected to attend the hearing of the committee chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Also invited as resource persons were Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Supt. Raphael Dumlao, Sta. Isabel’s superior and team leader of the police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group.

Jee, along with house help Marisa Morquicho, was reportedly taken from his house in Angeles City, Pampanga, last Oct. 18 by members of the anti-narcotics group allegedly led by Sta. Isabel. The Korean was accused of involvement in illegal drugs.

Morquicho was released by the policemen but the businessman was reportedly strangled to death inside the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

A witness pointed to Sta. Isabel as the one who killed Jee but the policeman denied the allegation.

Morquicho was also invited to the hearing. CBB