Korean in maid’s slay charged

Charges of robbery with homicide and car theft were filed yesterday against a former Korean soldier for the killing of a maid in a robbery that took place at a condominium unit in Ermita, Manila last Friday.

Police said they are optimistic that they have a strong case against Kwang Hyun Cho, 30, to indict him for the crimes he committed.

"His intent to leave the country after the crime was committed was a clear sign of guilt. Witnesses and evidence gathered also linked the suspect to the crime," Manila Police District homicide section chief Senior Inspector Dominador Arevalo said.

Kwang was nabbed by the Manila police inside the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as he was about to board a flight for South Korea. Recovered from him were part of the alleged loot, consisting of a pearl necklace, a Rolex wristwatch and cash.

Kwang is the prime suspect in the slaying of Louela Caballero, 26, who was shot dead inside her employer’s unit at Marina Residential Suite at the corner of M.H. Del Pilar and Pedro Gil streets in Ermita.

The suspect was seen by witnesses hurriedly leaving the condo building and driving away in a Volvo car (XHJ-825), which he allegedly stole.

During interrogation, Kwang, who had served in the French Army, admitted shooting the maid after he was caught leaving the unit with the safety box. He said he left the gun and the safety box with a certain Richard Quinto, a tattoo artist.

According to Razel Ann Dellosa, Kwang’s Filipina fiancee, they are scheduled to get married next year in South Korea. She said her boyfriend is a wealthy Korean and even bought a condo unit at the Pearl of the Orient Condominium building along Roxas Boulevard where he stays.

She said she was puzzled what drove Kwang to kill the maid and rob the unit of his Korean friend.