Korean arrested for running Manila sex tours

MANILA, Philippines - A Korean man was arrested recently for allegedly organizing sex tours in Manila, an official said yesterday.

Bureau of Immigration officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma said the suspect, who real name was withheld pending the arrest of others involved in the operation, was nabbed in Malate on Feb. 9 by the BI’s newly formed Trafficking in Persons Unit (TIPU).

Ledesma cited intelligence reports alleging that the Korean is employed by a syndicate that uses a travel agency as a front. BI intelligence chief Faizal Hussin said Kim poses as a tour guide for the agency but is actually a pimp for male Korean customers who seek sex with local prostitutes.

Hussin said the Korean is considered an undocumented alien since he could not present his passport or any other valid immigration document.

BI-TIPU head Epifanio Lambino Jr. said the Korean – who has been using two aliases – entered the country on March 19, 2006 and is believed to be overstaying.

The Korean is also the subject of complaints from his Korean customers for alleged extortion and blackmail, the BI said.