CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – The Embassy of the Republic of Korea strongly demanded from the local police in Central Luzon to protect its nationals while on vacation or doing business in different parts across the country.
“Protect us!,” said Kim, Dae Hee, Consul and Police Attache, in his speech during a top-level meeting with Korean community leaders and senior police officers stationed in various provinces in Central Luzon.
Kim, who was apparently alarmed of the spate of cases ranging from kidnapping, murder, robbery hold-up and other crimes involving Koreans, sought the police assistance to ensure the safety of visiting compatriots.
Central Luzon is host to more than 30,000 Koreans spread in different provinces in the region.
A total of 13 cases involving murder and kidnap-for-ransom of Koreans have been recorded by authorities from 2012 up to 2016. These include the kidnap-slay of businessman Jee Ik Joo, (Angeles City) ; murders of Park Yong Pil, Maeng Jung Yeon, and Shim Tae Soo (Bacolor, Pampanga) and Park Youn Jae (Mabalacat City).
Also included in the consolidated reports submitted by the police is the unsolved murder case of Min Kyoung Seo whose body was discovered at Club Morocco in Barangay Cawaf, Subic, Zambales sometime on March 3, 2015.
For his part, Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino has assured all Korean communities in the region of speedy investigation on incidents involving their compatriots.
“We’re exerting all efforts to identify, file cases against the suspects and bring them behind bars,” Aquino told leaders of different Korean communities during the meeting held at the Multi-Purpose Hall in this regional police headquarters on Tuesday.
Aquino had recently ordered the booting out from their unit of seven policemen allegedly involved in abduction and robbery-extortion of Koreans in Angeles City.
“I’m going to relieve all policemen involved in criminal activities and file administrative and criminal charges against them,” Aquino told Koreans during the open forum.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group –Pampanga Provincial Field Office formally filed Tuesday criminal case against the seven policemen all detailed at the Angeles City Police Office – Station 5 stationed at Barangay Cauayan in Angeles City.
Police also recorded the murder of Zeungha Kim, a.k.a. Charlie, a resident of Floridablanca, Pampanga, whose body was fished out at the shores of the Guevarra Resort situated at Sitio Nagtulong, Bgy. Cawag, Subic, Zambales.
• April 9, 2014 Lee Ji Won body (in advance state of decomposition) was found at the septic tank of residential unit in Bgy Gayagaya, City of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.
• April 6, 2014 Sin Jae Hu was gunned down in front of Hansan Mini-Mart along Friendship Highway Bgy Anunas, Angeles City. Case remains unsolved.
• February 18, 2014 Her Tae Suk was shot dead in Angeles City. Suspects were identified but remain at large and are subject of manhunt launched by the police.
• April 13, 2013 Im, Chong Yun succumbed to gunshot wounds while his compatriot – Nam Chung Chol – injured during an ambushed at the entertainment district.
• March 22, 2013 Kim Tae Ik, a language teacher and owner of wellness clinic was killed by unidentified suspects and dumped at Bgy. San Bartolome, Concepcion, Tarlac.
• November 6, 2012 Hae Beom Lee was killed in his rented house in Angeles City. His body was discovered inside the bathroom with handcuffed and suffered punctured wound in the chest.
• Sept 8 2012 Chung Yun Kwon was found in a makeshift graveyard at the back of a residential unit at Timog Park Subdivision, Bgy Pampang, Angeles City. Case remains unsolved.
• December 30 2016 Park Min Hoon and Lee Ki Hoon were both victims of abduction and robbery hold-up by members of Station 5 police personnel. The suspects are facing criminal charges aside from administrative case filed against them.
Aquino has also directed all provincial and city directors in the region to coordinate with Korean communities in their respective areas and hold dialogue with them as part of the security measures to ensure their safety.
Aquino gave all police chiefs three days to comply with his directive. He warned them of immediate removal from position once they failed.