Criminal charges for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide was filed yesterday in court against the Korean national who jumped from a ledge of the Kawasan Falls in Badian town and landed on a compatriot which caused the latter’s death on Good Friday.
Provincial prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba immediately approved the filing of the information of the case against Ryu Hojun before the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Moalboal.
Badian Police filed the case against Ryu based on the complaint filed by Lim Young Bal, father of the victim, Lim Sanggeun.
Lim asked that the accused be made to pay actual damages, moral and exemplary damages, which the court may determine after the trial of the case. This is on top of the litigation expenses and attorney’s fee of P125,000 that he demanded from Ryu.
Lim said that on March 21 he was shocked to receive a call from the Philippines informing him that his son died while on an excursion at the Kawasan Falls in barangay Matutinao, Badian.
Lim said he was told that a fellow Korean, who was later identified as Ryu, positioned himself at a ledge of the waterfalls and jumped supposedly into the waters, but instead hit his son and hurt two other Koreans who were riding on a bamboo raft.
Ryu allegedly ignored the warnings given by his fellow Koreans “not to jump into the waters because there are people on a raft below.”
Sangguen was rushed to the Reinhard Wirtgen Memorial Hospital in the nearby town of Alegria, but died few minutes after because of the severe injuries he sustained.
The prosecutor’s office has recommended P30,000 bail for the temporary liberty of Ryu, who is currently recuperating also in a hospital because of the injuries he too sustained.
Meanwhile, Provincial Board member Wilfredo Caminero said yesterday that he will pass a resolution for the conduct of an inquiry into the safety measures adopted by local government units in the province that are operating some resorts.
This move stemmed from the recent incident at Kawasan Falls. – Fred P. Languido and Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV