DOJ gives Jee case respondents more time to submit statements

The Department of Justice. (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer).

The Department of Justice (DOJ) gave respondents in the abduction and killing of South Korean business executive Jee Ick Joo more time to answer the criminal case filed against them.

During Thursday’s preliminary investigation, the DOJ prosecutors gave Supt. Rafael Dumlao and three officials from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) an extension to submit their counter-affidavits.

Dumlao, the alleged masterminded in the killing of Jee, was given up to March 7 to submit his counter-affidavits, while the NBI officers were given up to March 10 to submit theirs.

The NBI officers are Jose “Jojo” Yap, former NBI deputy director for investigation services; Ricardo Diza, former National Capital Region (NCR) director; Roel Bolivar, former head of the Task Force Against Illegal Drugs.

On the other hand, three respondents had already filed their counter-affidavits denying their participation in the crime. They are SPO2 Ricky Sta. Isabel, who allegedly was the one who strangled Jee; Ramon Yalung, who allegedly was part of the kidnapping; and Gerardo Santiago, owner of Gream Funeral Services, where the South Korean’s body was allegedly taken.

Five new respondents, all employees of Gream Funeral Services, have up to March 7 to submit their counter-affidavits. They are Epephany Gotera, Teodolito Macato Tarepe, Kevin Enriquez, Robert John Tobias, and Bernardo Maraya.

The DOJ is conducting a reinvestigation on the case on the request of Sta. Isabel, Yalung, and SPO4 Roy Villegas, who claimed thinking that the operation against Jee was a legitimate one. /atm