NBI probes Korean trader’s kidnapping in Angeles City

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has taken on the case of the missing Korean businessman allegedly kidnapped by eight persons, including an active member of the Philippine National Police-Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (PNP-AIDG).

According to NBI-National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Director Rick Diaz, cases of serious illegal detention and kidnapping were already filed by the PNP against the suspects before the Department of Justice (DOJ) last November, 2016.

He added that the NBI is now also investigating carnapping, robbery, and all other cases related to the abduction of businessman Jee Ick-joo, 53, from their residence on Arayat Street, Friendship Plaza Subdivision, Angeles City, Pampanga last October 18.

The victim’s wife Choi Kyung-Jin appeared at the NBI Office in Manila yesterday to appeal to the public to help authorities locate her husband and bring him home safely. She is offering a reward of 1100,000 to any- one who can give information on the whereabouts of her husband.

Based on records collected by NBI investigators, Jee was kidnapped with their household helper Marissa Dawis on the pretext that the abductors were conducting a drug raid.

The armed men also took the victim’s personal belongings including pieces of jewelry and their passports and then drove off in Jee’s black Ford Explorer.

The NBI is now focused on identifying the other perpetrators of the crime who took advantage of the administration’s war against illegal drugs to extort money.

The NBI said they cannot divulge the name of the police involved in the kidnapping in deference to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa whose office should be the one to reveal this information.

However, Chief Superintendent Aaron N. Aquino, Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) regional director (RD), had already named the policeman involved in Jee’s kidnapping as Senior Police Officer 3 (SPO3) Ricky Sta. Isabel when the latter was charged with kidnap for ransom (KFR) and illegal detention charges last Monday.

After the abduction, the suspects texted Jee’s wife and demanded a ransom payment of 18 million in exchange of his safe release. Choi was able to raise 15 million and delivered it to the kidnappers, but neither of the victims were released.