By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Dismissed police officer Rafael Dumlao, implicated in the abduction and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo in 2016, was arrested in Quezon City on Tuesday.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) led the arrest of Dumlao at around 5 a.m. in Barangay Pasong Tamo, pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by a local court.
“This morning’s operation is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to enforce the law and implement Court decisions. The PNP acted in accordance with its mandate and the arrest sent a strong message that nobody is above the law, regardless of rank, position, or former authority,” Remulla said during the briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Remulla said the CIDG developed a key lead following the wedding of Dumlao’s daughter last week.
Although Dumlao, who last held the rank of lieutenant colonel, did not attend the event, police were able to monitor that he watched the wedding’s livestream.
The information eventually led authorities to his location and arrest.
Remulla said Dumlao was alone when he was arrested and appeared to have been staying in the area for an extended period.
He added that authorities are investigating individuals who may have assisted the fugitive former police official, including the owner of the house where he stayed, the registered owner of the firearm seized during the operation, and persons with whom he maintained contact while in hiding.
“Ginawa namin na lahat (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 Dumlao already convicted, Remulla said the focus now shifts to the implementation of the court’s judgment. The court will determine his place of detention once the warrant has been returned.
He added that the computer laptop and mobile phone seized from Dumlao will undergo forensic examination.
“Whether you were a former PNP chief or a former police officer, that is not a consideration. Even though Dumlao was one of their own, he was not put above the law. The institution is above everything else. We are protecting the institution. The institution did not protect him and is not protecting the other ones,” Remulla said.
South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, and Jee’s widow, Choi Kyung-jin, have been informed of Dumlao’s arrest, Remulla said.
Jee, a pharmaceutical executive, was arrested in 2016 under the guise of an anti-illegal drug operation, although records later showed that the true intent was kidnapping for ransom.
Dumlao, at the time, was a ranking official of the now-defunct Anti-Illegal Drugs Group of the PNP.
The victim was brought to Camp Crame and killed in a parking area in front of the PNP national headquarters, where then-PNP chief and now-Senator Ronald Ddela Rosa held office.
The incident prompted Dela Rosa to dissolve the AIDG, which was later replaced by the Drug Enforcement Group.
Aside from Dumlao, at least two other police officers have been arrested and charged in connection with the case.
Dumlao was acquitted by a local court of the kidnapping and murder charges in 2023. The case was elevated to the Court of Appeals (CA), which reversed the lower court’s ruling in 2024 and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua.
Dumlao’s camp appealed the decision before the Supreme Court, which affirmed the CA ruling in June 2025 and denied all petitions and legal remedies.
Remulla said the killing of Jee is a reminder of the consequences of abuses committed under the guise of law enforcement operations. (PNA)
