Jee Ick Joo’s wife: My husband is in heaven waiting for justice

The wife of abducted and slain South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo on Thursday urged the Philippine government to bring to justice those responsible for his husband's death.

Assisted by an interpreter from the South Korean Embassy, Choi Kyung Jin told a Senate inquiry she and her fellow South Koreans would be closely following the slay case.

“I'll be keeping an eye out until justice is completely served and until the end of this case,” Choi said.

“It is not only the Filipino citizens but all the Korean citizens in the Philippines and in Korea are keeping an eye on this situation,” she added.

Jee was kidnapped from his house on October 18 last year and was brought to Camp Crame where he was reportedly strangled to death. His body was never found, although a witness has claimed it was brought to a funeral parlor in Caloocan and was cremated.

Choi paid the abductors P5 million in ransom without knowing that he was already dead.

“Justice must be served by showing that the criminals are being penalized and being punished for offenses that they are doing,” Choi said before the hearing was suspended.

Fighting back tears, Choi ended his statement with one final wish: “My husband who is in heaven is waiting for justice to be served.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson, who led Thursday’s hearing, assured Choi that she was not alone in seeking justice for his husband’s death.

“The entire Filipino people will be behind you on this,” Lacson said.

Two of the suspects in the crime, SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel and Supt. Rafael Dumlao II, also appeared in the hearing. — MDM, GMA News