A regional trial court in Angeles City on Wednesday issued a hold departure order against police 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 for his temporary liberty.
Judge Irin Zenaida Buan of Angeles City RTC, Branch 56, issued the HDO upon 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, Rafae Dumlao III, and the same being meritorious, said motion is hereby granted,” the court’s order stated.
The court also ordered the Travel Control Bureau of the Bureau of Immigration “to hold the departure of the accused from the country so as not to escape criminal liabilities pending the final determination of the case.”
On Monday, the court granted Dumlao’s request to be allowed to post bail saying the prosecution failed to prove that the evidence of guilt against him is strong that would warrant the junking of his request.
Buan said none of the prosecution’s witnesses were able to establish that Dumlao conspired with the other accused in killing Jee.
However, Buan said that the ruling allowing Dumlao to post bail is without prejudice to its later determination of guilt since more evidence will still be presented by the prosecution during the trial proper of the case.
Dumlao will stand trial starting this June on charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and carnapping.
Aside from Dumlao, Police Chief Master Sergeant (formerly SPO3) Ricky Sta. Isabel and Gerry Omlang, the Department of Justice also charged Gerardo "Ding" Santiago, owner of the Gream Funeral Services in Caloocan City where the body of the victim was brought, and Police Executive Master Sergeant (formerly SPO4) Roy Villegas in the kidnapping for ransom with homicide case.
The DOJ later tapped Villegas as a state witness, while Santiago’s case was downgraded to accessory.