Kidnap for ransom raps filed vs three Koreans

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office charged three Korean Nationals and their unidentified companion for kidnap for ransom.

Prosecutor Theresa Calibugan-Casiño recommended no bail against Kim Jong Seok, Choi Se Yong, Kim Sung Kon and a still unidentified accomplice.

The four allegedly helped each other in kidnapping and detaining Kwon Young Hoon for the purpose of extorting ransom from Hoon and his parents.

They allegedly threatened to kill Hoon if they would not get the amount they demanded.

In the complaint filed by Hoon, he narrated that he was booking a flight to Cebu City when he met a few Koreans who were also set to travel to Cebu City.

They offered for him to travel with them. Hoon said that after they arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport on August 21, 2011, a Korean whom he knew through the internet invited him to go to Mango Square.

After having some drinks, a Korean told him that they will transfer to another place. He said that minutes after, a van arrived and they boarded it. But when he asked where they were going, he was punched, kicked and blindfolded.

Hoon added that the group instructed him to call Korea to say that he met an accident and that he must to pay US$40,000, otherwise, he could no longer go back to his country.

He said he was able to raise US$7,000 which was deposited in his ATM and which the accused have withdrawn. — (FREEMAN)