THE Department of Justice will issue an immigration lookout bulletin order against the police officer allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a Korean businessman in Angeles City last year, despite his decision to surrender himself to the National Bureau of Investigation.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the LBO will be issued against SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel as well as the seven other suspects in the kidnapping of Jee Ick Joo last Oct. 18.
Aguirre stressed that the ILBO directs immigration authorities to monitor Sta. Isabel, despite he voluntarily surrendered to the NBI since he is not yet the subject of a warrant of arrest at this time.
“There is chance to escape because there is no hold departure order [against Sta. Isabel and other suspects], but I will call them that I will issue lookout bulletin order,” the Justice Secretary said.
ILBO mandates the Bureau of Immigration to be on the lookout for the subject and to verify the status of a case against the subject person and not to restrict an individual from leaving the country.
The DoJ used to have the power to issue HDOs but this was covered by a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court in 2011 after former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo questioned it at the time.
At that time, Arroyo was the subject of a watchlist order in connection with her electoral sabotage charges filed by the DoJ before the Pasay City regional trial court due to alleged fraud in the 2007 mid-term polls.
Aguirre said they are still looking at the other suspects who like Sta. Isabel are facing serious illegal detention and kidnapping cases.
The DOJ chief admitted that he only learned that one of the suspects was able to leave for Canada after he was told Monday by Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa.
“As matter of fact, one of the suspects – a retired policeman – was able to leave for Canada. I will be coordinating with the PNP. We only learned it just yesterday,” Aguirre said.
Aguirre said they will also coordinate with the Interpol to locate the suspect.