One Korean rape suspect posts bail

CEBU, Philippines - One of the two Korean nationals accused of raping two Japanese women in Lapu-Lapu City last month was ordered released from detention after posting P120,000 bail for his temporary liberty.

Executive Judge Victor Teves of the Regional Trial Court in Lapu-Lapu City ordered the release of Jong Duk Lee, 34, but barred him from leaving the country. Lee is only charged with sexual assault which is bailable under the law. 

His co-accused Carl Park, 21, who is facing a more serious charge of rape was not allowed to post bail and is now detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail. They were accused of raping two Japanese women inside a motel last month.

 Lawyer Inocencio Dela Serna, who represents the two Japanese women, said he filed a motion to upgrade the case against Lee from sexual assault to rape. Dela Serna said they have already informed the Bureau of Immigration and other law enforcement agencies about the hold departure order issued against Lee.

The court has yet to set the hearing of the motion to upgrade the charge against Lee. The victims aged 20 and 21, are renting an apartment in Lapu-Lapu.

They have befriended the two accused while strolling near their rented apartment. According to the victims, the accused brought them to a resto bar in Cebu City where they have had drinking session on the night before the alleged rape happened.

The victims claimed that when they were already very drunk and half-conscious, the Koreans brought them to a motel in Lapu-Lapu City where the alleged rape took place.

The suspects were arrested during the follow-up operations conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7. –(FREEMAN)