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Funeral parlor owner tagged in Korean's 'tokhang' kidnap-slay

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ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1458912" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><p>PLOT THICKENS: A former cop turned barangay chairman is being eyed as a person of interest in the kidnap-slay of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo after the latter&#x27;s ashes were found in the funeral parlor owned by the village chief.</p><p>The National Bureau of Investigation is now considering a barangay chairman in Caloocan City as a person of interest in the kidnap-slay of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, </p><p>Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan said Barangay 165 chairman Gerardo Santiago, who owns the funeral parlor where Jee’s remains were reportedly kept, filed a leave of absence from January 10 to February 10.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="tl">Barangay captain sa Caloocan na may-ari ng puneraryang nagproseso sa bangkay ng kinidnap na Korean, naka-leave umano | via <a href="https://twitter.com/zhandercayabyab">@zhandercayabyab</a> <a href="https://t.co/O1rubIR6PE">pic.twitter.com/O1rubIR6PE</a></p>— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) <a href="https://twitter.com/DZMMTeleRadyo/status/821865184746606592">January 18, 2017</a></blockquote><script async="" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script><p>The Department of Justice, citing Immigration records, has confirmed that Santiago <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/19/17/person-of-interest-in-koreans-kidnap-slay-flew-to-canada-doj">flew to Vancouver, Canada</a> on January 11 on board Philippine Airlines flight PR-118. </p><p>Santiago left the country on the same day that Jee&#x27;s wife sought help from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald &quot;Bato&quot; dela Rosa about the abduction of her husband. </p><p>According to Malapitan, Santiago retired in 2007 from the Northern Police District, where he had worked with SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel. </p><p>Sta. Isabel and several other policemen have been accused of using President Duterte&#x27;s war on drugs as a cover for the kidnapping of Jee from his home in Angeles, Pampanga last October 18. </p><p>A Seoul-based news agency, citing police sources, said the victim appeared to have been strangled to death on the same day of his abduction. </p><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="380" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rpb4OaqziDY" width="675"></iframe></div><p>NBI agents found Jee&#x27;s ashes at the Gream Funeral Homes owned by Santiago. </p><p>The kidnappers&#x27; leader, reportedly a retired police general, allegedly ordered the cremation. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="tl">Punerarya sa Caloocan na nagproseso sa bangkay ng dinukot na Korean, sarado sa ngayon | via <a href="https://twitter.com/zhandercayabyab">@zhandercayabyab</a> <a href="https://t.co/wq8kZ1eP8j">pic.twitter.com/wq8kZ1eP8j</a></p>— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) <a href="https://twitter.com/DZMMTeleRadyo/status/821865019222544384">January 18, 2017</a></blockquote><script async="" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script><p>Santiago will be charged with dereliction of duty if he does not return to their barangay when his leave of absence ends, said Malapitan. </p><p>Sta. Isabel, for his part, has sought protective custody from the NBI and denied the accusations. </p><p>The PNP, meanwhile, said it has already placed the other policemen linked to Jee&#x27;s abduction under restrictive custody. </p><p>Senator Panfilo Lacson is <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/18/17/lacson-seeks-senate-probe-into-tokhang-for-ransom">seeking a legislative inquiry</a> into Jee&#x27;s death. </p><p>South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se has also discussed the case with his Philippine counterpart, Perfecto Yasay, who reportedly vowed a thorough investigation and punishment for those involved. </p><p>Ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck, quoting Yun, said the case &quot;poses concerns to the safety of South Koreans&quot; in the Philippines. He said more than 1 million South Koreans visit the Philippines every year. <strong>- With Agence France-Presse </strong></p>

<p>PLOT THICKENS: A former cop turned barangay chairman is being eyed as a person interest in kidnap-slay of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo after the latter's ashes were found in the funeral parlor owned by the village chief.</p>

PLOT THICKENS: A former cop turned barangay chairman is being eyed as a person interest in kidnap-slay of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo after the latter's ashes were found in the funeral parlor owned by the village chief.