Philippines holds memorial for Korean businessman killed by police in 2016

Jee Ick-joo a Korean businessman killed by Philippine police officers in 2016 Yonhap — Jee Ick-joo, a Korean businessman killed by Philippine police officers in 2016. Yonhap

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - A memorial service for Jee Ick-joo, a Korean businessman killed by Philippine police officers in 2016, will be held on Friday at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Manila. The event, marking the eighth anniversary of Jee's death, will be attended by representatives from the Korean Embassy, the Filipino-Korean Association, and Philippine government officials.

The ceremony will include speeches, floral tributes, and a formal request from Jee's widow, Choi Kyung-jin, for the installation of a memorial at the police headquarters. The Philippine government has previously expressed willingness to cooperate on this matter.

Jee was abducted and murdered by three active police officers on Oct. 18, 2016, in a case that highlighted concerns about police misconduct in the Philippines. While two accomplices received life sentences in June 2022, the main suspect, Rafael Dumlao, a former anti-drug unit team leader, was initially acquitted.

In a surprising turn of events, an appeals court judge overturned the acquittal in June 2023, sentencing Dumlao to life imprisonment without parole. However, Dumlao escaped before an arrest warrant could be issued and remains at large, underscoring ongoing challenges in the Philippine justice system.

AJP