DUMALAO, ALLEGED MASTERMIND IN JEE ICK-JOO KIDNAP-SLAY, ARRESTED

Former police officer Rafael Dumlao III, who was tagged by authorities as the alleged mastermind in the 2016 kidnapping and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, has been arrested in Quezon City, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed on Tuesday.

According to Remulla, Dumlao was apprehended by operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Pasong Tamo, Quezon City. He is now under government custody pending further legal proceedings.

Dumlao has long been linked to the high-profile kidnap-slay case involving Jee Ick-joo, a South Korean businessman who was abducted in October 2016 and later killed inside Camp Crame. The case sparked public outrage and drew international attention after exposing alleged involvement of rogue police officers in the crime.

Prior to his arrest, Dumlao had been among the country's most wanted fugitives. Authorities had intensified efforts to locate him after the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice and renewed directives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government to track down high-profile fugitives.

Government officials have yet to release additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding his arrest. Authorities are expected to provide further information as the investigation and legal proceedings move forward.

The arrest marks a significant development in one of the most controversial criminal cases in recent Philippine history, nearly a decade after the killing of Jee Ick-joo shocked both the Philippines and South Korea.