(Eagle News Service) — Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Thursday that he might allow the phone conversation recorded by Ricky Sta. Isabel’s wife to be played in the Senate inquiry looking into Jee Ick-Joo’s killing.
Lacson, chair of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs conducting the investigation, said the Jan. 14 recording–which Jinky Sta. Isabel said would prove her husband’s innocence and would implicate her husband’s immediate superior, Supt. Raphael Dumlao—should however first be “authenticated.”
“If Dumlao allows it, and all parties give their consent, I might allow as chair to play the recording..but I cannot allow it to be played unless all parties involved give their consent. Otherwise we will be needing a court order,” he said.
When asked if he gave his consent to the playing of the recording, Dumlao, who has already repeatedly denied any involvement in the crime, said: “As long as it is authenticated, your honor.”
Senator Leila De Lima for her part moved to invite Jinky Sta. Isabel to the next Senate hearing to “secure her consent” to the playing.
Her husband, who was present in Thursday’s hearing, interjected she was “willing” to go to the Senate on that same day.
Lacson, however, shot down the possibility, saying there were “many other resource persons” for the day.
“Don’t be too enthusiastic,” he said.
Jee was abducted from his house in Angeles City, Pampanga in October last year.
The abductors–many of them policemen including Sta. Isabel—had made it appear Jee was being arrested in an anti drug operation.
The South Korean businessman was then brought to the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame.
He was believed to have been killed there despite his wife’s payment of P5 million for his release.
