Police clueless on Korean diplomat’s whereabouts

The Makati police said yesterday it remains clueless on the whereabouts of Young Ho Chung, third secretary of the Korean Embassy.

But Police Officer (PO1) Juancho Ibis said investigators led by PO1 Ricky Tan continue to scour the places where Young and Chung Han Young were last seen in Makati Friday night, hoping to find a good lead. Ibis added police believe that the "Ativan Group" behind Young’s disappearance was the same group that victimized businessmen Peter Holyoeke, 61, of New Zealand, and Broudo Gordechai, 42, of Israel.

Holyoeke was found unconscious by two street vendors early Saturday night along Jupiter Street while Gordechai remains missing since May 30.

Ibis said the group used the same modus operandi. "According to Chung, the man introduced himself as "Robert" and showed a business card identifying him as vice-president of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC) on Ayala. "The New Zealander told us that he was also shown an HSBC calling card," Ibis said.

The Ativan Gang is known to spike their victims’ drinks with pills to make them sleepy. Once knocked out, the hoodlums rob their victims’ clean of their belongings.

Investigation showed the man approached the two Koreans while they were changing some money at the Heritage Money Changer late Friday night, spoke to them in Korean, and later invited them to have a few drinks in Makati.

Chung told the police that "Robert" later offered to bring him and Young home in his white four-door sedan. The man first dropped off Chung at his home in Ortigas.

Chung said he called up Young on his cellular phone some 15 minutes later and the Korean executive said he and "Robert" were a few minutes away from the Ritz Tower Condominium in Makati.

Young never reached home and as of press time, he remains missing.

Meanwhile, the Korean Embassy is seeking the cooperation of any individual who can provide information on the whereabouts of Mr. Chung Young-ho. He will be rewarded by the Korean Embassy. Contact No. 811-8260/62/6139, 0917-811-6157, 0917-817-5703.