SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel now under PNP-AKG custody. @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/bAT0A4sZet

— Maan Macapagal (@maan_macapagal) January 20, 2017

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday took custody of Senior Police Officer 3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, who is accused of being the mastermind behind the abduction and killing of South Korean businessman Ick Joo Jee.

Sta. Isabel was transferred from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Manila to Camp Crame on Friday night.

The PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group escorted Sta. Isabel, who was seen wearing a helmet and a bullet-proof vest, to Camp Crame.

SPO4 Roy Villegas, tagged Sta. Isabel in the kidnapping and murder of Jee, was also transferred to the PNP-AKG after an arrest warrant was issued.

Charged along with seven other people, Sta. Isabel sought protective custody at the NBI on Monday.

He is accused of strangling Jee to death in Camp Crame, on the same day the Korean was abducted from his home in Angeles City.

It has yet to be disclosed whether Sta. Isabel will be detained either in Camp Crame or in Pampanga.

PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group team leader Police Supt. Rafael Dumlao III was also placed under restrictive custody of the PNP-Headquarters Support Service by command of PNP Chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa. - with reports from Maan Macapagal and Mike Navallo, ABS-CBN News

SPO4 Villegas says he thought operation with SPO3 Sta Isabel was legitimate. @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/NnC4HlN3Cy

— Maan Macapagal (@maan_macapagal) January 20, 2017