PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde said Wednesday, March 27, they have yet to get any information that will implicate dismissed Senior Superintendent Eduardo Acierto in the killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo.
“Actually sa ngayon, walang feedback sa amin na he was directly or indirectly involved (in Jee’s killing). I think that part is still under investigation although na-identify kasi kaagad kung sino ‘yung mga directly involved, gaya nina Colonel (Raphael) Dumlao, who are in jail actually,” he said.
“‘Yung participation nya kung meron man, hindi pa ma-identify until now. Yun nga after that kasi na-dismiss s’ya from the service (We cannot identify his participation in the crime, if there is any. He was dismissed from service after that),” he added.
In a speech Tuesday evening, March 26, in Koronadal City, President Rodrigo Duterte said Acierto was involved in Jee’s killing.
Duterte made the statement as he vouched for the integrity of his former economic adviser, Michael Yang, who was accused by Acierto as involved in the illegal drug trade in the country.
“Sabi niya hindi ko raw binigyan ng importansya. Bakit ko bigyan ng importansya? Kayo ang nag-imbestiga, eh di gawin niyo ang trabaho niyo,” said Duterte.
(He said I did not give importance on his report. Why would I give it importance? You were the ones investigating, so you should do your job.)
“Alam ko siya (Acierto) na korap. Alam ko na siya na nag-kikidnap ng mga Chinese, pati ‘yung Koreano na pinatay doon sa Crame, siya ‘yun. T—inang itong Acierto na ‘to,” said the President.
(I know him as being corrupt. He kidnapped Chinese nationals, and he was the one who killed a Korean in Crame.)
Acierto was the officer-in-charge of the former Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) when Jee was kidnapped and killed inside the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame in October 2016. Jee's body was cremated and was reportedly flushed in a toilet bowl in a funeral parlor in Caloocan City.
Among those charged over Jee’s murder were Dumlao, a team leader at the AIDG, and members Senior Police Officer (SPO) 3 Ricky Sta. Isabel and SPO4 Roy Villegas who admitted taking part in the crime.
Dumlao earlier said there were personalities, with positions higher than him, that were involved in the killing.
Acierto was dismissed from police service along with former PNP chief Allan Purisima over the 1,004 missing AK-47s that allegedly ended up in the hands of the communist New People’s Army.
He was also included in Duterte’s drugs watchlist and was allegedly involved in the P6.4-billion shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) smuggled inside magnetic lifters through the Bureau of Customs.
Duterte said Acierto should not be trusted and believed for his involvement in illegal activities.
"Huwag kayong maniwala... lalo na itong si Acierto (Don't believe him)," he said.
"Tanungin ko kaya ang military pati ang police, bakit buhay pa 'yang p— ina. He was the guy na nag import na ng AK-47 tapos dineliver niya sa New People's Army. Pulis itong gagong 'to ah (I will ask the military and police why is Acierto still alive. He was the guy who imported an AK-47 and delivered it to New People's Army)," he added.
Acierto said earlier that a Davao group was contracted to kill him in exchange of P15 million. (SunStar Philippines)