Koreans lose valuables to thieves in Moalboal

CEBU, Philippines - Four Korean nationals reportedly lost cash and other valuable items worth over P100,000 to thieves past 2 a.m. yesterday in a resort in barangay Saavedra, Moalboal town.

Police identified the victims as Lisa Son Meri, 22 years old; Boa Park, 24; Amy Jung Jai Hae, 23; and Susan Kang Su Seon, 23. They are all temporarily residing in Banawa, Cebu City and are students of an English language school here.

Investigation showed that around 9 p.m., the victims had a drinking spree in a beach resort in Saavedra a few meters away from their rented room where their bags were left behind.

One of the victims decided to go to their room at around 11 p.m. to rest and was followed by a companion. They still allegedly saw their bags inside the room around 1 a.m.

Later at quarter to 3 a.m., one of the remaining victims outside the room decided to go inside to get her hairpin but was shocked to find out that their four bags - colored white, brown, red, and black - were missing.

They believed that the unidentified thieves gained entry through the only door of the room and took the loot while the victims inside were sleeping and the others were still outside in a drinking spree.

The bags reportedly contained three digital cameras all amounting to P60,000, two MP3s worth P25,000; two cellular phones worth P25,000; pieces of clothing worth P18,000; and P4,500 cash.

They then showed up at the Moalboal Police Station to report the incident. A pursuit operation was conducted but they failed to arrest the thieves.

It was pointed out there could be more than one thief as the four bags could not have been carried by one person alone.

PO3 Remberto Impenado said that a follow-up investigation is being conducted to possibly identify the culprits. — Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)