Bato’s assurance: No repeat of Jee Ick-joo killing

PNP Chief General Ronald De La Rosa
EDWIN BACASMAS/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he will do his best to prevent a repeat of the brutal killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo by rogue cops inside Camp Crame.

If it happens again under his watch, Dela Rosa said he will not be surprised if President Rodrigo Duterte would kick him out of office.

“Hiyang hiya na talaga tayo. Kapag meron pa mangyari d’yan I don’t know what will happen to me. Hindi na siguro ako kailangan mag-resign. Sabihin na siguro ni Presidente na, ‘Umalis ka na d’yan dahil wala nang nangyari,’” Dela Rosa said after his dialogue with the Korean Community in Angeles City, Pampanga.

(We are really embarrassed. If something similar happens again, I don’t know what will happen to me. There will probably be no need for me to resign. The President would probably just say, “leave because nothing is happening.)

“I will do my best na hindi na mangyari ulit ‘yon (to make sure it will not be repeated),” Dela Rosa added.

READ: Bato assures Korean community: We will solve Jee’s murder

Dela Rosa said Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda has committed to hire interpreters for the Korean community dedicated to cases involving Korean victims living in the province.

Korean police desks in Pampanga will also be “enhanced” like those in the provinces of Cebu, Davao, Subic, Baguio, he said.

Dela Rosa also revealed that investigators had already identified the person who talked to Jee’s wife Choi Kyung-jin and asked her to give an P8-million ransom.

“‘Yung parang nag go go-between para sa pera para ibigay sa ganito, ibigay sa ganun,” he said.

Last October, Jee was killed inside the PNP headquarters by some rogue members of the defunct Anti-Illegal Drugs Group after they abducted him from his house in Angeles City.

READ: Korean businessman killed inside PNP headquarters

The killing  triggered major changes in the PNP, including the suspension of its bloody war against drugs. IDL/rga