Hold-departure order issued against Dumlao

An Angeles City court has issued a hold departure order Wednesday against Police Superintendent Rafael Dumlao who is facing charges in connection with the 2016 killing of Korean Jee Ick Joo.

The order was confirmed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera who is one of the government lawyers prosecuting of the case.

Judge Irin Zenaida Buan of the Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 56 issued the HDO after government prosecutors petitioned for it last Monday.

Buan also granted the bail petition of Dumlao who is facing charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and car theft. Dumlao’s bail bond totalled P900,000. His co-accused included SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, retired policeman Gerardo Santiago, and Jerry Omlang.

Jee was taken along with his maid Marisa Morquicho on Oct. 18, 2016 from his home in Friendship Plaza Subdivision, Angeles under the pretext that police were conducting anti-illegal drugs operations.

The Korean was brought to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, where he was killed the same day. Morquicho was eventually released.

Even though the Korean was already dead, the accused still contacted his wife, Kyung Jin Choi, on Oct. 30, 2016 and demanded ransom for his release.

The following day, Choi delivered R5 million in ransom in front of the Central Town Mall in Porac, Pampanga.

On Nov. 2, 2016, the suspects demanded R4 million more but Choi refused after they failed to show proof of life