The plea of a police officer to be discharged from restrictive custody of the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) after finishing his obligation as state witness in a case filed in the October 2016 kidnap-slay of a South Korean trader Jee Ick Joo was granted by the Regional Trial Court of Angeles City, Pampanga.

Judge Irin Zenaida Buan of the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 56, in a two-page ruling dated 30 January, stated the testimony of SPO4 Roy Villegas on the case has already concluded warranting the approval of his petition.

The ruling stated that based on the proceedings held in the cases, the witness already finished his testimony.

“Thus it can be concluded that he already fulfilled his duty as a state witness. With the completion of the testimony of witness Villegas, there is no more valid reason to recall his discharges, thus the effect of his discharge should be given effect,” the ruling said.

The witness identified SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel as the one who strangled Jee after talking to a “Sir Dumlao” who later turned out to be Supt. Rafael Dumlao III, former official of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group, and one of the respondents in the case.

The policeman claimed that when he realized it was not a legitimate police operation, he still did not resist and continued to obey instructions for fear of his life and the safety of his family.

Villegas’ request was earlier opposed by Sta. Isabel and co-accused Jerry Omlang, citing their pending petition for certiorari before the Court of Appeals (CA) which was denied by Judge Buan citing the lack of legal basis.

“The amendments in Section 7, Rule 65 of the Rules of Court clearly mandates that the pendency of a petition for certiorari will not interrupt the course of the main case unless a temporary restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction is issued by the appellate court,” Judge Buan ruled.

Charged for kidnapping for ransom and homicide were Sta. Isabel, Omlang and Dumlao while Gerardo “Ding’ Santiago, owner of the Gream Funeral Services in Caloocan City where the body of Jee Ick Joo, was charged as an accessory to the crime.

Omlang is an errand boy at the NBI who surrendered and confessed to his participation in the crime.

Prior to his being used as state witness Villegas was included in the charge sheet.