Police confirm arrest of alleged mastermind in killing of Koreans

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Director Lani-O Nerez yesterday confirmed the arrest of the alleged mastermind in the killing of two Koreans whose bodies were dumped in Naga last weekend.

Nerez said Park Tae Sung was arrested in Hong Kong afternoon the other day, but was held by the Hong Kong police in relation to another case he is facing in Korea. Park is reportedly expected to be transported back to Korea.

Based on information relayed to him by investigators, Nerez said Park reportedly met with the victims - Choi Ho Jun, 41, and Yang Soon Suk, 40 – at Asiatown IT Park before the brutal killing. The three reportedly argued about money.

“Wa siguro ni sila nagkasinabot o ni-demand ba kaha ning duha,” Nerez said.

Choi and Yang arrived in Manila last May 27 and came to Cebu on November 11. Reports had it that the two were allegedly involved in big syndicate while in Korea, but opted to break free.

Park, meanwhile, is also allegedly involved in a big syndicate in Korea and is facing a swindling case there. He came to the Philippines two years ago and established a surplus shop in Talisay City with a Korean partner.

On November 16, however, Park reportedly fled to Hong Kong around 9pm while his business partner reportedly left the country a few hours later. The day after Park fled, the bodies of Choi and Yang were found in Naga town. 

The bodies of the victims sustained hack, stab and gunshot wounds and were found around 6am last Sunday in sitio Tres, barangay Uling.

“Basin naa sila’y gilihayan…ngano man nga nisibat sila? Hinuon, wala na-hold ang business partner ani ni Sung kay wala man ni kaso sa Korea. Gani, tua naman ni didto pero si Sung na-hold jud kay naa man ni kaso,” Nerez said.

Nerez said he had advised the victims’ relatives to file a case against the suspect so that the latter can be repatriated to the Philippines to face charges.

Nerez said investigation is ongoing to determine the real motive of the crime, as well as possible accomplices.

A task force has been formed to look into the case, composing of the Regional Intelligence Division; Crime Laboratory; Criminal Investigation and Detection Group; and the Cebu Provincial Police Office. Nerez said they will coordinate with the Korean embassy and try to secure a list of names and pictures of Koreans that have come to Cebu, but have pending cases in Korea.

A Korean national, Kang Jung Il, reportedly a friend of the victims and Consul Jung San Chul identified the bodies of Choi and through their tattoos.

Charlie Shin, president of the Korean Community Association here, already went to the office of the Regional Intelligence Division to coordinate with the authorities and seek further assistance.

Jung said they are hopeful that the police will solve the crime the soonest possible time. He said it is possible that the killing had something to do with drugs or moneymaking schemes. Nerez himself said they would explore the angle that the victims were involved in Mafia-like activities. – Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)