Ex-cop linked to Korean’s kidnapping flees PH; cop in custody on travel hold

A retired policeman linked to the kidnapping of Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo, who remains missing since October last year, managed to slip out of the country and forced Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to order another suspect in the case, Senior Police Officer 3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, put on travel hold.

“Yung isa sa mga suspect diyan na retired policeman nakaalis na, pumunta na ng Canada (one of the suspects, a retired policeman, has left and went to Canada),” disclosed Aguirre who learned about the escape on Monday from Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Because of this, the Justice Secretary ordered SPO3 Sta. Isabel placed in the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orderorder (ILBO) even though he has voluntarily submitted himself to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

It will be recalled that SPO3 Sta. Isabel walked into the NBI main office in Manila last Sunday to request that he be put under its protective custody.

The policeman, who said he believes he is safer in the custody of the NBI than in the PNP, allegedly led the group that kidnapped Jee and his househelp Marissa Dawis in the guise of an anti-drugs operation at the Korean’s house in Angeles City, Pampanga last October 18.

Meanwhile, the Aguirre said that he will be coordinating with Dela Rosa on the steps to be taken to get the suspect who fled to Canada back to the country and account for the accusations against him. The name of the suspect has not been divulged by either Dela Rosa or Aguirre.