Court issues hold departure order vs accused in 2016 Jee Ick Joo case

May 8, 2019

A regional trial court in Angeles City on Wednesday issued a hold departure order against Police Lt. Colonel Rafael Dumlao III who is facing trial for allegedly masterminding the 2016 abduction and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo after he was allowed to post bail.

Judge Irin Zenaida Buan of Angeles City RTC, Branch 56, issued the hold departure order on the request of the prosecution panel, headed by Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera.

“Acting on the urgent ex parte motion for the issuance of a hold departure order against accused P/Supt, Rafael Dumlao III, and the same being meritorious, said motion is hereby granted,” the court said.

On Monday, the court granted Dumlao’s request to be allowed to post bail.

Buan said the prosecution’s witnesses failed to prove Dumlao conspired with the other accused in killing Jee.

Buan said the ruling allowing Dumlao to post bail is without prejudice to its later determination of guilt since more evidence will be presented by the prosecution during the trial.

Dumlao will stand trial starting this June on charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and carnapping.

Along with Police Master Sergeant Ricky Sta. Isabel and Gerry Omlang, the Department of Justice also charged Gerardo Santiago, owner of the Gream Funeral Services in Caloocan City where the body of the victim was brought, and Police Master Sergeant Roy Villegas in the kidnapping for ransom with homicide case.

The DOJ later named Villegas as state witness, while Santiago’s case was downgraded to accessory. DMS