MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police has started probing several South Korean syndicates which are reportedly involved in the kidnapping of their compatriots and then holding them for ransom.
The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (CIDG) Metro Manila office started its investigation after two South Korean nationals were linked to the abduction and killing of another Korean last week.
“There are really Korean syndicates who kidnap fellow Koreans. They demand ransom of between P1 million and P5 million,” said Supt. Jonnel Estomo, CIDG-National Capital Region deputy chief.
Estomo led Tuesday’s operations that led to the arrest of Tae Ku Ha and Yong Hoon Lee for the kidnapping and death of Sang Kyung Chang.
The two were arrested in a hotel in Ermita, Manila, during an entrapment operation, CIDG-National Capital Region chief Senior Supt. Isagani Nerez said Wednesday.
Police arrested the two after Chang’s brother, Sang Tae Chang, and Korean Consul Jung Soon Chul reported on May 29 that the victim was missing.
Police later learned that the Korean had been abducted near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport complex on May 24.
Those holding the victim then demanded a P 2 million ransom for his release.
Upon his arrest, Ha tagged a Filipino whom he identified only as Bobby as the one who had stabbed the victim during an argument.
The victim’s body was then dumped in Cainta, Rizal, police said, quoting Ha. Later on, the body was found in a funeral home in Antipolo, Rizal.
Ha also named Lee as the mastermind in the abduction but said they had no intention of killing Chang. He added that he and his cohorts took $8,000 and P50,000 in cash from the victim.
The two Koreans are facing non-bailable charges of kidnapping with murder.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
10 months ago
