Philippine authorities arrest dismissed high-ranking police officer Rafael Dumlao for his role in the 2016 murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo. Multiple outlets report Dumlao is the person convicted as the “brains” or alleged mastermind in the case and that he had been in hiding for nearly two years after the Philippine Supreme Court upheld convictions. Officials say Dumlao was apprehended in the Philippine capital, with reports placing the arrest in Quezon City around 5:15 a.m. on Tuesday.
The killing occurred in October 2016, when Jee Ick-joo was reportedly abducted in Angeles City, Pampanga and later strangled inside the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame. Inquirer.net reports Jee’s remains were cremated and his ashes were flushed. The case drew attention in both the Philippines and South Korea, including because other active-duty and former police officers were said to be involved.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung publicly welcomed the arrest and called for justice for crimes targeting South Korean citizens abroad, thanking officials from both countries for cooperation.
