The lawyer of the policeman who allegedly killed Korean kidnap victim Jee Ick Joo has decided to withdraw due to death threats, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta said.

Acosta revealed that this is the reason why the PAO suddenly stepped in to offer its services to suspect SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, whose lawyer left him.

“Marami daw death threats yung private lawyer kaya nagwithdraw,” bared Acosta.

Acosta assured that the PAO lawyers will be there to assist Sta. Isabel once he faces trial at Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 58, which is handling the case of kidnapping for ransom with homicide.

Last October 18, Sta. Isabel and the other suspects went to the house of Jee in Angeles City, Pampanga under the pretext of conducting “Oplan Tokhang”. They abducted the victim.

The Korean’s wife, Choi Kyung-jin, was prompted to contact authorities after the victim remained unreleased even after a P5-million ransom was paid.

Jee was allegedly brought to Camp Crame and killed there by Sta. Isabel.