Ex-cop in Jee Ick Joo case arrested

CONVICTED former police Rafael P. Dumlao III was arrested in Quezon City on Tuesday in connection with his conviction over the 2016 kidnapping and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla said.

Mr. Dumlao, who has been on the run since his 2019 acquittal was reversed, was arrested at around 5 a.m. in Pasong Tamo, Mr. Remulla said, noting the case was the result of abuses under drug operations. “The killing of Jee Ick Joo was the result of abuses under Tokhang operations. [Police officers] knocked on his door and said it was a drug raid, which turned out to be kidnapping,” he said in a livestreamed briefing, referring to operations which focused on street-level suspects in poor communities.

He said the operation gave police personnel excessive discretion without due process.

“Tokhang gave too much license to the PNP (Philippine National Police) operatives to do things at their whim without the process of law,” Mr. Remulla added.

Mr. Dumlao, who was convicted for kidnapping for ransom with homicide, was sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or 20-40 years of imprisonment. He was also found liable in related kidnapping and carnapping cases.

Mr. Remulla said the arrest underscores the duty to enforce court rulings regardless of rank or former position.

“This morning’s operation is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to enforce the law and implement court decisions,” he said. “The PNP acted in accordance with its mandate and the arrest sent a strong message that nobody is above the law.”

Mr. Remulla said the arrest was carried out in accordance with legal procedures, with Mr. Dumlao’s rights observed.

“We did everything according to law. We did not violate any procedure. We read him his rights. We did not hurt him,” he said.

With Mr. Dumlao already convicted, enforcement of the judgment will proceed, with the court to determine his place of detention once the warrant is returned. — Mark Joseph M. Sanchez