Duterte tasks Panelo to apologize to South Koreans

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he has tasked Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Secretary Salvador Panelo to apologize to the South Koreans after their compatriot, businessman Jee Ick Joo, was killed after he was arrested by police in the guise of an anti-illegal drugs campaign.

"I think Panelo is going there. I told him to make a good apology," Duterte said in a speech delivered before newly-promoted military officials in Malacañang.

"Wala tayong magawa, nangyari eh. Ang pinaka-bastos na ginawa, ang pinakamasakit daw sa kanila, talagang iyong flushing down the drain sa toilet bowl. Nasaktan sila, maski gawin sa atin iyan," he added.

Duterte has already ordered an internal cleansing of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and halted all anti-illegal drugs operations.

"With the sordid event about the Koreans, I ordered the police to stop all operations. No policemen in this country anywhere is allowed to enforce laws related to the drug campaign, kasi magamit nila iyan--palitan nila ang warrant, palitan nila ang pangalan," he said.

"Let me reorganize the enforcement diyan sa drugs sa pulis. In the meantime, they would be arrested and I will order you to arrest them. Kung hindi ko kayo ipasok sa laro, patay ako. Walang magtingin diyan sa abusadong pulis. The culture of corruption sa pulis, matindi. In the beginning pati mga generals eh," he added.

The Jee kidnap-slay is being investigated by a Senate panel, although the probe was suspended following Duterte's call for the disbandment of anti-drug units in the police organization.

Pres. Duterte earlier met with Choi Kyung Jin, widow of Jee Ick Joo, in Malacañang. ????: Palace @gmanews pic.twitter.com/lEQZcPEnVi

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) January 30, 2017

On Monday, Duterte met with Jee's widow, Choi Kyung Jin, in Malacañang. They were joined by South Korean Ambassador Kim Jae Shin and PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa. — RSJ, GMA News