Business feud angle eyed: 2 Koreans, Pinoy killed in shooting

CEBU - Two Koreans and a Filipino died yesterday morning inside a restaurant in barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City.

A feud over the restaurant business reportedly resulted to the shooting to death of the Filipino and a female Korean while the shooter, killed himself after the deed.

Lapu-Lapu City Police homicide investigators said that the shooting incident occurred at 8:45 a.m. inside the Blue Marine Sea Food Restaurant.

Sr. Supt. Mariano Natuel, Jr., Lapu-Lapu City Police Director, identified the victims as Kim Kil Bok, 46, temporarily residing at Dona Rosario Village, barangay Basak, Mandaue City and Joel Molo, manager of the restaurant, an a resident of barangay Looc, Lapu-Lapu City.

The alleged killer, who shot himself after the incident, was identified as Hyo Sik Woo, 60, temporarily residing in Barangay Looc.

The live-in partner of Kim Kil Bok identified as Kong Young Bae escaped unhurt.

Based on the initial information gathered by homicide investigator SPO2 Rolito Jumao-as, Hyo arrived at the restaurant onboard a taxi cab at around 8:40 a.m. yesterday.

Investigators learned that inside the restaurant a heated argument ensued between Hyo and Kong Young Bae.

Police said that according to witnesses, Hyo first shot Kong Young Bae, but missed. Kong reportedly scampered for safety outside the restaurant.

Hyo then attacked Kim Kil Bok and Molo, who were left inside the restaurant before turning the gun on himself.

Hyo allegedly used a caliber .45 pistol that had a silencer.

Hyo sustained a gunshot wound on his right head that exited on the left side. He died on the spot.

Police said Kim Kil Bok sustained three gunshot wounds on the left side of her body and one on her buttock. Molo was hit on the right side of his body and left side of his chest. Both also died on the spot.

Police said Hyo and Kim were partners in the Blue Marine Sea Foods Restaurant business.

Most of their customers are Koreans and airline employees operating at the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

Police said they are now verifying reports that a conflict between the suspect and Hyo and other business partners in running the restaurant is the cause of the shooting.

Police and members of the Scene of the Crime Operation were able to recover eight empty shells, three deformed slugs, one empy magazine, one live bullet, all of caliber .45 pistol, one caliber .45 pistol with magazine inserted and one shotgun.

Police also said that they discovered the valve of LPG at the kitchen were open when they arrived at the place.

Police said firearms recovered at the crime scene were submitted for ballistic examination while the bodies of the victims were also brought to the Cebu Rolling Hills Funeral Homes for autopsy.

Although, the two Korean fatalities were not members of any association in Cebu, some Korean group officials assured police that they will assist in the investigation.

There are thousands of Korean nationals, who have established a business, are studying, or have made Cebu as their retirement home. —/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)