Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald dela Rosa has submitted to Malacañang the letter of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo’s wife.
In the letter, Jee’s wife Choi Kyung-Jin, said she is leaving it up to the PNP to investigate the kidnapping and death of her husband.
Dela Rosa said, he showed the letter to palace officials to explain why it is not letting the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) handle the probe alone.
Dela Rosa admits, he had initial hesitation in taking charge of the investigation.
“Ayaw ko nga sana kasi baka ma-misinterpret at baka sabihin na mai-impluwensiyahan (I did not want it at first [to handle the probe] because we might be misinterpreted and they might say we might be exerting influence),” he explained.
Nevertheless, he sees a joint inquiry of the PNP and the NBI as the best option for the case.
“We can continue the investigation with other agencies,” he said.
Jee was abducted from his house on October 18, 2016 and was reportedly strangled to death at the PNP Headquarters in Quezon City by SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel.
Choi had paid the kidnappers P 5 million in ransom, not knowing that Jee was already dead at that time.