Cops in extortion, robbery of Koreans face raps

MANILA, Philippines - Criminal charges are being readied against seven policemen tagged in the robbery and extortion of three South Koreans in Angeles City in Pampanga last month.

Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police director, said they are gathering testimonies from witnessess and evidence against the police officers.

Probers are eyeing cases of physical injuries, serious illegal detention, kidnapping, robbery and extortion against Police Officers 3 Gomerson Evangelista, Arnold Nagayo and Roentjen Domingo, PO2s Ruben Rodriguez and Richard Agapito as well as PO1s Jayson Ibe and Mark Joseph Pineda.

The policemen allegedly took the bags and other personal belongings of the South Koreans, two of them identified as Park In-hoon and Lee Ki-hoon, during a raid on the house where the victims stayed.

Park and Lee submitted their sworn statements before they left the country.

The victims were brought to a police station on the pretext of involvement in illegal online gaming and released after paying a total of P310,000 in cash.

Special desk

Meanwhile, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan ordered yesterday the creation of a special desk at the city hall to address the concerns of South Korean residents and tourists.

Pamintuan issued the directive from Rome, where he is attending the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front, saying the desk would be under his office.

“I will seek the help of the Korean community in setting up measures and mechanisms to ensure the safety of their nationals,” Pamintuan said in a statement.

Aside from the three victims of robbery and extortion, South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo was kidnapped by police officers from his house in this city and murdered inside the Philippine National Police headquarters in Quezon City in October.

“I am dismayed and saddened by the alleged involvement of policemen in crimes against our friends from Korea who visited and resided in our city,” Pamintuan said.