Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that a memorial marker for the slain South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo will be established within Camp Crame. This marker is intended as a lasting reminder of the organization's dedication to institutional integrity while honoring the memory of a victim whose death revealed a critical moment in the police force's history.

According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive, under the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to enhance professionalism, accountability, and public trust in law enforcement. PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. emphasized that the memorial is a testament to the organization's readiness to confront its past and to bolster reforms that promote accountability and professionalism.

Nartatez stated, "This memorial is a solemn acknowledgment of a tragic chapter in our institution's history. We cannot change the past, but we can honor the victim, uphold accountability, and reaffirm our commitment that such abuses of authority will never be tolerated again." The installation of the memorial marker inside Camp Crame comes at the request of Jee's widow, Choi Kyung Jin, during her recent visit with South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa. It will be located at the Police Community Affairs and Development Group (PCADG) to provide Jee's family with a permanent place to honor him.

This development follows nearly a decade after Jee was abducted by rogue police officers inside Camp Crame in October 2016 and subsequently killed. Nartatez also acknowledged the widow's appreciation to the PNP leadership following the recent arrest of former police lieutenant colonel Rafael Dumlao III, one of the alleged masterminds in the case, noting that it brought her family a renewed sense of justice.

"Trust is earned through accountability, transparency, and consistent reforms. While this memorial cannot erase the pain caused by the crime, it symbolizes our willingness to remember, learn from our mistakes, and continue strengthening the institution so the public can have greater confidence in the Philippine National Police," Nartatez concluded.