Court issues HDO vs. alleged Jee Ick Joo slay mastermind

The Angeles City Regional Trial Court on Wednesday issued a hold departure order against a police officer accused of masterminding the abduction and killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo in 2016.

In a two-page order, Judge Irin Zenaida Buan of the Angeles RTC Branch 56 granted the prosecution’s motion for an order that would prevent Police Lieutenant Colonel (Superintendent) Rafael Dumlao III from leaving the country.

Upon motion by the prosecution, the court amended its order Thursday. The HDO now directs the Bureau of Immigration to prevent Dumlao from using all Philippine airports and seaports to escape the country while his cases are pending.

The earlier court order identified the bureau and only the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to hold Dumlao's departure, prompting prosecutors to move for an amended coverage.

Dumlao was recently allowed to post a P300,000-bail for each of the three criminal cases he faces in connection with the businessman’s murder.

The police officer will stand trial starting this June on charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and carnapping. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News