Slay of Koreans: Cops ready charges vs suspect

CEBU, Philippines - Police are now preparing the charges against a Korean tagged in the killing of three other Koreans at a restaurant in Lapu-Lapu City.

The Lapu-Lapu City Police Office has identified Kim Se Wong as the one allegedly killed his wife Young Mi An and in laws Ho An and wife Kim Soonok.

He was arrested at the second floor of the building in Barangay Maribago where the restaurant is located. He was found with wounds on both wrists and was rushed to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

A knife believed to be used in the killing was also found at the crime scene.

Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, acting chief of the Lapu-Lapu Police, said they are now gathering evidence, including the marriage certificate of the couple, to support the filing of a parricide and multiple homicide charges against Kim.

The couple owns the Han Ga Wi Restaurant.

Aside from the Lapu-Lapu City Police, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group -7 is also helping investigate the incident.

Superintendent Fermin Armendarez III, deputy chief of CIDG-7, said his men have been gathering evidence hours after the killing.

Initial investigation revealed that the restaurant was supposed to open at 10 a.m. but it remained closed until the afternoon prompting a friend of the couple and the security guard to call for help. Responding policemen found the dead bodies of the victims inside the restaurant. The three victims had stab wounds.

Struggle might have ensued, authorities surmise, considering that the tables and chairs were destroyed.

Bong Hwan “Charlie” Cho, president of the Cebu Koreans Association (CKA), said the group is keeping an eye on the investigation.

“Right now we still coordinating with the police group…so as of now, we are very sad for the killing of our fellow Koreans,” Cho said in a text message.

The incident happened just days after the CKA and CIDG-7 signed an agreement for the police group to entertain concerns involving Korean nationals here.

There are about 30,000 Koreans in Central Visayas, many of whom are tourists or students learning English. –/JMO (FREEMAN)