EXPLAINER: What happened before Rafael Dumlao's arrest in Jee Ick Joo case?

Former police official Rafael Dumlao III, tagged as a mastermind in the 2016 kidnapping and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo, was arrested in Quezon City on Tuesday.

The arrest came nearly a decade after the high-profile case shocked the country.

Police served the warrant around 5 a.m. at a house in Pasong Tamo, Quezon City, following the Court of Appeals ruling that convicted Dumlao in connection with the Jee Ick Joo case.

But what happened before Dumlao’s arrest?

2016 abduction, killing

The case stemmed from the October 2016 abduction of Jee Ick Joo from his home in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Authorities later determined that the South Korean businessman was kidnapped by individuals linked to law enforcement and was later killed inside Camp Crame.

His body was later cremated.

In January 2017, the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group recommended administrative charges against Dumlao, then head of Special Investigation Unit 2, for allegedly attempting to cover up the involvement of his subordinate, Ricky Sta. Isabel, in the kidnapping.

Investigators said Dumlao allegedly failed to disclose Sta. Isabel’s role in the abduction and even defended him despite mounting evidence.

Criminal charges filed

Later in 2017, the Department of Justice filed criminal charges against Dumlao and several others over the kidnapping and killing of Jee.

Prosecutors alleged Dumlao was a principal in the crime and one of the key figures behind the operation.

The case was tried before the Regional Trial Court in Angeles City.

Acquittal overturned

In June 2023, the Angeles City RTC convicted Sta. Isabel and former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) errand boy Jerry Omlang but acquitted Dumlao.

Prosecutors challenged the ruling and elevated the case to the Court of Appeals.

The appellate court later reversed Dumlao’s acquittal, finding him guilty of kidnapping, extortion, carnapping, and killing Jee Ick Joo.

He was sentenced to reclusion perpetua and ordered arrested without bail.

A witness testified that Jee was kidnapped and extorted, and when he failed to meet the demand, he was allegedly strangled and his body burned.

Years on the run

Despite the Court of Appeals ruling, Dumlao remained at large for months, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to locate him.

Authorities later offered a P1-million reward for information leading to his arrest.

In May this year, Interpol issued a red notice against Dumlao.

He was arrested on June 9, 2026, in Quezon City.—MCG, GMA News