Former Police Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Dumlao was arrested by operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Quezon City on the morning of June 9, 2026.

According to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, authorities conducted a three-week surveillance operation before tracking Dumlao to a house in Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City. The warrant of arrest was served at around 5:00 AM.

In a press conference, Secretary Remulla announced the arrest and said it marked only the beginning of efforts to locate other high-profile fugitives.

"Today, June 9, 2026, at around 5:00 AM, operatives of the PNP successfully arrested Police Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Dumlao. He was arrested in a house in Pasong Tamo, Quezon City pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by the court," Remulla said.

[Ngayon, June 9, 2026, bandang alas singko ng umaga, matagumpay na inaresto ng mga operatibo ng PNP si Police Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Dumlao. Inaresto siya sa isang bahay sa Pasong Tamo, Quezon City alinsunod sa warrant of arrest na inilabas ng hukuman.]

The secretary also emphasized the government's resolve to uphold the rule of law.

"This morning's operation is a clear demonstration of the government's commitment to enforce the law and court decisions. The PNP acted in accordance with its mandate and sends a strong message that nobody is above the law, regardless of rank, position, or former authority," Remulla added.

[Ang operasyon ngayong umaga ay malinaw na pagpapakita ng pangako ng pamahalaan na ipatupad ang batas at mga desisyon ng hukuman. Kumilos ang PNP alinsunod sa kanyang mandato at nagpapadala ng malakas na mensahe na walang sinuman ang nasa itaas ng batas, anuman ang kanyang ranggo, posisyon, o dating awtoridad.]

Dumlao's group was implicated in the kidnapping and killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo in September 2016. Jee was abducted in Angeles, Pampanga, and was later found dead inside a vehicle at Camp Crame in October of the same year. Authorities said he was strangled inside the camp while his captors were negotiating a ransom with his family.

The victim's family was only able to pay P5 million of the ransom demand. The remaining P3 million was not paid after the suspects could no longer present proof of life. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) later discovered that Jee's body had been cremated and his ashes flushed down a toilet at a funeral parlor in Caloocan.

Dumlao's group faced charges of kidnapping with homicide, serious illegal detention, and carnapping. The Pampanga Regional Trial Court acquitted them in 2019, but the Supreme Court reversed the ruling in 2024, prompting Dumlao to go into hiding.

‍