MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered yesterday the arrest of 10 Manila Police District (MPD) policemen who allegedly conspired with two Korean tour guides to kidnap and extort $30,000 (approximately P1.2 million) from four Korean tourists last Feb. 14.
Lim, during a press conference at the Manila City Hall, also ordered MPD director Chief Superintendent Alex Gutierrez to dissolve all drug units in the police stations and for him and Chief Inspector Mar Reyes, chief of the Manila City Hall Police Office and MPD-general assignment section, to investigate the “hulidap” incident.
Four of the 10 policemen were identified as Senior Inspector Glenn Gonzales, PO2 Jolly Aliangan, PO2 Richard Sibayan and PO1 George Borabo. The six other policemen were not identified. Lim said the police officers have not reported for duty since Feb. 14 and are considered absent without official leave.
Tourists Kim Youn Ho, Nam Sang Jik, Do Wan Kuk, and Lee Byung Soup said they were in a hotel preparing to return to Korea when Tae, their tour guide, enticed them to go shopping. As they were walking toward a mall, three men, with guns drawn, alighted from a van and forced them to board the vehicle.
They said they were told they were being arrested for illegal possession of marijuana, and were shown a sachet allegedly found in their possession. The victims were told they can settle the case against them by paying $30,000.
Bang, the other tour guide, facilitated the money transfer. Bang was arrested in Candelaria, Quezon province while Tae – who flew to Korea to avoid being caught – was arrested as an accomplice in the kidnapping, extortion and planting of evidence case filed in the Philippines against him.
Senior Superintendent James Afalla of MPD Station 3 and Senior Superintendent Rolando Balasabas of MPD Station 4 assured the victims that the 10 policemen will be charged accordingly and the money taken from them returned.
The victims’ families sought the assistance of the Korean Consul General Jung Soon Chul, who asked the MPD to immediately act on the case.