Roxas assures Korean government of citizens’ safety

MANILA, Philippines - Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II assured the Korean government yesterday that security measures are in place to ensure the safety and protection of foreign nationals in the country, particularly Koreans.

Roxas made the statement after the Korean government urged the Philippines to ensure the safety of its nationals while in the country.

Roxas told Korean embassy officials over the weekend that President Aquino “values the close relations the country has with Korea.”

He said the President has instructed concerned officials to address security concerns of Koreans in the Philippines.

According to the Philippine National Police-Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (PNP-DIDM), at least 18 Koreans were victimized by criminal gangs in the first three months of this year.

Chief Superintendent Ericson Velasquez of the DIDM enumerated PNP’s efforts to ensure the safety of Koreans in the country, including the creation of a Korean Desk.

Velasquez said the PNP implemented in September 2014 the National Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program, which deployed 2,344 police in 25 tourist police units and 1,978 tourist assistance desks nationwide.