NBI arrests seven South Koreans

CEBU, Philippines - Seven Koreans were arrested yesterday for estafa by the National Bureau of Investigation but were eventually released after they posted bail.

The seven were Lee Chan Gyu, Kim Chan Gyu, Choi Jin Young, Jang Jae Yeong, and Nam Ki Hoon of Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction; and Choi Sun Wok and Cha Sang Go of Shiloh International Corp. at the third floor of the Ortigas Center.

Both corporations are reportedly under Korean Electric Power Company-Salcon Power Corp. and they are assigned as contractors for 200MW power plant in Naga City, Cebu.

Judge Leoncio M. Janolo, Jr. of the Regional Trial Court of National Capital Judicial Region Branch 264 in Pasig City, who issued the arrest warrant, recommended bail for each of them at P60,000.

The seven were arrested by the NBI in Naga City.

There are three remaining accused who are remain at large and are officials of Shiloh International Corp., Lee Yeon Woo, Choi Young Bong and Lim Bong Gil.

In all there were 10 Koreans who were charged with estafa for allegedly failing to pay P52 million in debts to the JB Corp. a subcontractor of the project in Naga City.

It was a certain “Mr. Lee”, chief officer of JB Corp., who filed a criminal complaint in San Juan City against the officers of Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction and Shiloh International Corp. for allegedly not paying their debt.

Lee allegedly provided for the procurement and transportation of equipment needed for the power plant from Korea to Naga City.

Lee added that the NBI should check if those arrested have working visas.

The media tried to get the side of the respondents through their counsel but they refused to say anything.

NBI executive officer Ernesto Macabare said a team led by agent Rey Villordon served the warrant of arrest yesterday around 10 a.m. in a KEPCO-SPC power plant.

Meanwhile, a statement from SPC denied that those arrested were their managers or bosses.

The source, who requested not to be named as she is not authorized to speak on behalf of the company, said that while it is true that these people worked at the ongoing construction of the SPC power plant in Naga, it does not mean that they are managers of the said power company.

She explained that their main contractor is Doosan, which also has several other subcontractors.

“They are not our managers, maybe they are managers from the other subcontractors,” the source said.

She explained that some subcontractors have offices within the SPC compound, which would explain why those arrested put “SPC” after their names which would indicate their address but not necessarily mean that they are connected with SPC.

“We only have ten expats and certainly those who were arrested were not ours. Wa intawon gipangdakop ang ang amoang expats,” the source said. —/BRP (THE FREEMAN)