NBI to pursue Jee kidnap-slay probe

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II yesterday assured that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will not withdraw from the investigation on the abduction and murder of Korean national Jee Ick Joo regardless of the wishes of the victim's widow.

"A crime took place and we want solid evidence," said Aguirre in a radio interview.

Poloice officers were implicated in the abduction and death of Jee, who was taken from his residence in Angeles City, Pampanga and brought to the Philippine National Police headquarters in Quezon City last October 18, 2016.

The Secretary bared that he was recently approached by Jee's widow, Kyungjin Choi, who was accompanied by a Korean police attache and a Korean embassy consul. Even though a joint task force from the NBI and police was formed to conduct the investigation, Aguirre said that he was asked to have the NBI to withdraw from the case and give way to the investigation being conducted by the Philippine National Police-AntiKidnapping Group (PNPAKG).

"I consulted with the NBI and its officers an they told me they have already gathered so much evidence," said Aguirre.

Apart from this, the NBI also have in custody three suspects in the case, namely, SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, retired policeman Gerardo Santiago, and Jerry Omlang.

"The NBI decided to continue to investigate since their probe is already very deep and that the two investigating teams would have to just exchange notes," stressed Aguirre.