PNP: Jee Ick Joo memorial symbolizes accountability, institutional reform

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday that the memorial marker for slain South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo inside Camp Crame will serve as a lasting symbol of accountability and the organization's commitment to institutional reform.

PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the memorial reflects the police force's willingness to confront one of the darkest chapters in its history while strengthening professionalism and public trust.

"This memorial is a solemn acknowledgment of a tragic chapter in our institution's history. We cannot change the past, but we can honor the victim, uphold accountability, and reaffirm our commitment that such abuses of authority will never be tolerated again," Nartatez said.

The initiative is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to strengthen professionalism, accountability, and public confidence in law enforcement, the PNP said.

The memorial marker will be installed inside Camp Crame following a request from Jee's widow, Choi Kyung Jin, during her recent visit with South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa.

It will be placed within the Police Community Affairs and Development Group compound to provide Jee's family with a permanent place to honor his memory.

Jee was abducted by rogue police officers in October 2016 and later killed inside Camp Crame, a case that shocked both the Philippines and South Korea.

Nartatez also noted Choi's gratitude following the recent arrest of former police lieutenant colonel Rafael Dumlao III, one of the alleged masterminds in the killing, saying it gave her family a renewed sense of justice.

"Trust is earned through accountability, transparency, and consistent reforms. While this memorial cannot erase the pain caused by the crime, it symbolizes our willingness to remember, learn from our mistakes, and continue strengthening the institution so the public can have greater confidence in the Philippine National Police," Nartatez said.