Koreans battle for Sibulan church

CEBU, Philippines - Two groups of Koreans, who have been locked in legal battle for possession of the World Vision Mission Church at Boloc-boloc in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, are now trading charges and accusations in court.

The most recent of these were the alleged serious illegal detention case against three Koreans, alleged illegal arrest against another Korean and alleged grave threats against the president of the Korean church.

Both parties, however, were allowed by a court order to have their respective security guards to secure the premises during the pendency of the cases.

NBI agents arrested early this week Kim Hye Jung for alleged serious illegal detention, filed by two security guards, Lowell Balasabas and Francis Docto, who were hired by another Korean, An Yong Ju, who also claimed ownership of the Church.

Kim allegedly prevented the two guards from leaving the church compound, prompting the NBI personnel to arrest and detained her.

Kim’s counsel Karissa Faye Tolentino questioned the legality of her client’s arrest, allegedly without a warrant, and filed a habeas corpus case at the provincial prosecutor’s office for her release, while the serious illegal detention case was submitted for resolution within 10 days.

The lawyer also sought the dismissal of all charges against her client, saying Kim was a victim of illegal arrest and, in the process, illegally detained.

Tolentino further requested that Kim be turned over for protective custody to the Dumaguete Police as the Sibulan Police detention cell is cramped and the NBI does not have its own detention facility.

Superintendent James Goforth, Dumaguete City Police chief, clarified that his command has no involvement in the ongoing legal battle among the Koreans over the ownership of the church in Sibulan.

Goforth said the City Police was only asked to accommodate Kim and place her under protective custody because the detention places in the Sibulan Police and the NBI “appeared to be not safe for the woman.”

Goforth however clarified that he might not allow Kim’s extended stay at the Dumaguete Police station, noting that she was reportedly ill and he did not want to take any risks while she is under his custody.

Kim will have to be returned to the NBI later on for the latter to find a proper detention place for her, said Goforth.

Meanwhile, Kim De Gyo, president of the World Vision Mission Church in Sibulan, said it is owned by the Korean community and neither by himself nor by the pastors. He said Kim Hye Jung was his business partner along with two others, Kang Kyung Soo and Park Hyuk. (FREEMAN)