Body of kidnapped Korean trader found in Aurora

MANILA, Philippines – The search for a South Korean businessman, who was kidnapped while on his way to Manila from Baguio City three months ago, has come to an end after his body was found by elements of the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (PACER) at a ravine in the heart of the Sierra Madre mountain range in Aurora.

Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez, PACER chief, said an arrested suspect, Ronnel Mitra, 25, who drove the car used in the abduction of Chang Byung II, led his men to the site last June 25.

The alleged mastermind, a certain Eliseo Mancilla, and another suspect are now the subjects of a manhunt.

Records of the case showed that Chang, 49, of Seoul, South Korea, went missing last March 27 while en route to Manila with his Filipino translator and driver.

PACER got hold of the case after the Korean embassy sought the help of police last April 3.

Nerez said Chang was in the country to visit a certain Rowena Olay, of Project 7, Quezon City, whom he had met in an online chat room.

Chang, who owned a construction business in Korea, met Olay last March 13. Olay later introduced him to her friend Esther Gadiana, 32, of Molino 2, Bacoor, Cavite, who, in turn, recommended Mancilla, her brother, to be his guide and interpreter.

Police said Chang was interested in setting up a business in the country.

Last March 20, Chang and Mancilla, who spoke fluent Korean, went to Baguio City for a business trip.

Mitra, a stay-in driver of Gadiana, told PACER investigators that on the morning of March 26, Gadiana instructed him to drive a rented blue Hyundai Getz to Baguio City and fetch Chang and Mancilla.

In the afternoon of the following day while they were on their way to Manila, Mitra said Mancilla revealed to him the plan to kidnap Chang.

Mitra said Mancilla then instructed him to drive instead to Ilocos where they would pick up another person, who, according to Mancilla, would help plan the kidnapping.

Mitra said they eventually picked up the man as Chang was dozing off on the front passenger seat of the car.

According to Mitra, the man held Chang as Mancilla zapped the South Korean businessman with a stun gun, rendering him unconscious.

Mitra said Mancilla and the man then tied up Chang with packaging tape and transferred him to the car’s rear seat.

He said Mancilla and the other suspect then began divesting Chang of his wallet and other valuables, including his automated teller machine (ATM) card which they used in withdrawing P5,000.

According to Mitra, when they reached Rosales, Pangasinan, Mancilla called up Chang’s family in Korea and demanded ransom. However, no money was sent as it was a Saturday.

After hours of driving, Mitra said Mancilla, who appeared frustrated, ordered that they stop just a few meters after passing the Aurora Welcome Arch along the Baler-Bongabon Highway.

Mancilla, according to Mitra, then dragged the still unconscious Chang out of the car and pushed him down the 350-foot ravine. After dumping Chang, the group then drove away.

Mitra is now facing charges of kidnapping, while Mancilla and their still unidentified accomplice are being hunted. – With Manny Galvez