Korean, former Army man charged for slay of Korean exec

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Police here filed homicide cases against a Korean national and a former Army officer in connection with the brutal killing of another Korean car trader whose decomposing body was found in a ravine here last Jan. 15.

Chief Superintendent Romulo Sales, Cagayan Valley police director, said yesterday they have already filed homicide cases against Sam Bum Sim, a 32-year-old Korean national, and his alleged gunman, Villamor Julian, a former Army sergeant.

The two were formally charged Thursday before the Santiago City (Isabela) Regional Trial Court as principal suspects in the killing of Jeong Ga Chung, president of Seoul Motors Corp., a Cabanatuan City-based car trading firm, wherein Sam was the operations manager of its Santiago City branch.

During police interrogations, Sam and Julian, both arrested in separate raids last week, admitted their participation in the killing but both were pointing at each other as the gunman.

"Definitely, based on investigation," Sales said, "the two have conspired in killing the 52-year-old Korean executive."

Sales said Sam admitted hiring Julian, their warehouseman, to eliminate his Korean compatriot for P50,000.

"In his confession," he said, "Sam also admitted giving the full amount to Julian on the evening of Jan. 12 after making sure Jeong was already eliminated."

Sales, citing an investigation report, said the victim was shot dead while confronting Sam inside their branch office in Santiago City. Sam, according to investigation, wanted to eliminate his compatriot to cover up for his unliquidated P240,000 office expenses.

The killing, the investigation disclosed, took place around 6 p.m. on Jan. 12. Three days later, Jeong’s body was found in a ravine in Barangay Kirang, Aritao, some 35 kilometers from here. — Charlie Lagasca