‘Kidnapper’ of Korean has murder case

CEBU, Philippines - One of the suspects in the kidnapping of a Korean national last week is facing a murder case.

Police served the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Simeon Dumdum Jr. against Richard Dealagdon at his detention cell last Tuesday.

Dealagdon, 36, allegedly shot and killed his neighbor, Jose Verano Sr., on July 25, 2009.

Homicide section head, Chief Insp. Sarah Jabe Recla, said the incident happened in Banawa, Barangay Guadalupe and personal grudge was said to be the motive.

Dealagdon, a native of Aloguinsan, was temporarily residing in Banawa  where he met Verano and the latter’s cousin.

Dealagdon and Verano’s cousin reportedly had an argument.  Verano tried to pacify them but Dealagdon allegedly shot him.

Recla said one of the homicide investigators remembered Dealagdon’s murder case and immediately implemented the warrant last Tuesday.

Police brought Verano’s brother, Alberto, to the police office and identified Dealagdon as the one who killed his brother.

Just last week, a man who claimed to be Dealagdon’s friend lodged a complaint against him for allegedly running away with his land documents.

Last Oct. 24, Dealagdon was arrested with Leonard Bulabon, 31, and his cousin Gregorio Dealagdon, for allegedly kidnapping Korean national Jun Hyung Chung, 32, and his Filipina live-in-partner Charise Santiago.

Also arrested was their alleged mastermind, 32-year-old Song Sung Heum, who reportedly ordered to kidnap Chung for him to pay his P4 million debt. Santiago denied this, saying it was Heum who actually owed them the amount.

A case for kidnapping for ransom was filed against the suspects last Monday. —(FREEMAN)