Double murder case filed vs. suspects in slay of Koreans

CEBU, Philippines - Chief Supt. Lani-O Nerez, director of the Police Regional Office-7, confirmed that a case for double murder was already filed against the suspects in the brutal killing of two Korean nationals whose bodies were dumped on a mountain barangay of Naga town last November 14.

Nerez said that they filed charges for double murder against two Koreans and three Filipinos suspected of carrying out the crime. However, they are still to wait for the issuance of warrants for the arrest of these suspects.

He said that they are now coordinating with the Korean Embassy and the International Police to help in the monitoring of the Koreans implicated in the case.

It was reported earlier that the alleged masterminds in the slaying were two Korean nationals who were arrested in Hong Kong.

Nerez identified one of the suspects as Park Tae Sung and that he was held by the Hong Kong Police while the other one is known only through his moniker “Shan”. As for the Filipino suspects, Nerez withheld their names “so as not to jeopardize the operation.”

He said that the victims and Park Tae Sung met at the AsiaTown I.T. Park in barangay Lahug before the killing which reportedly took roots in alleged illegal drugs trade or moneymaking schemes.

The victims arrived in Manila last May 27 of this year and came here in Cebu on November 11. It was reported that the victims got involved in a big syndicate in their country but were not active anymore, while the suspect reportedly has a pending case for swindling in Korea.

The suspect stayed here in the Philippines two years ago, this was further learned. He put up a surplus business in Talisay City with the help of another Korean partner. But the suspect fled to Hong Kong on November 16 while his business partner left on November 17 days after the bodies were found.

“Basin naa silay gilihayan. Ngano man nga misibat 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 gyod kay naa man ni kaso,” Nerez said.

The suspect will be flown home to Korea to face his case and will be take back here in Cebu if the murder case against him prospers.

Relatives of the victims were already here yesterday and that they were advised to talk with the investigation team. Nerez added that it would be difficult to declare the case completely closed if these relatives won’t show any interest in pursuing such.

The Regional Intelligence Division, Crime Laboratory, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and the Cebu Provincial Police Office compose a task force formed to look into the case.

Compatriot Kang Jung Il, who claimed to be a friend of the victims, with Consul Jung San Chul identified the bodies of Choi Ho Jun, 41 years old, and Yang Soon Suk, 40, through their tattoos.

The bodies bore hack, stab and gunshot wounds. – Gabriel C. Bonjoc/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)