Korean resto bar owner shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A Korean resto bar owner was found dead with gunshot wounds in his body inside his rented room in Sitio Looc, Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, yesterday morning.

Members of the Special Weapons and Tactics found Lim So Yuen, 43, married, with gunshot wounds on his right abdomen and right arm when they entered the Korean national’s rented room at 9:30 a.m. yesterday.

Lim So Yuen owns a restobar named Carabao in Barangay Maribago which has been operating for several years now.

Residents of Sitio Looc in Barangay Maribago reported to the police that they heard five gunshots at about 2 a.m. but thought that the security guard assigned at a nearby resort fired his service firearm.

Members of the Lapu-Lapu City Police SWAT received a call from one of the residents of Sitio Looc in Barangay Maribago who reported that they suspect something happened inside the Korean national’s rented room.

When SWAT personnel arrived at the place, they failed to enter the room because the gate was closed. They had to ask for assistance from the cook of the Korean national’s restaurant who was also residing there.

Authorities discovered the dead body of the Korean national when they entered the room.

Police also noticed the disarrayed things inside the room prompting them to believe that a commotion happened inside.

Police said the assailants were able to enter by climbing the fence because the gate was still closed.

A .38 caliber revolver with one live ammunition, reportedly owned by the victim, was recovered at the crime scene along with two empty shells; one for a .38 caliber revolver and one for a .9 mm pistol. Police also recovered an air gun and a CPU which they brought to their office for further verification. They are also looking into reports that a CCTV camera was able to record the incident.

A brown envelope with the word “Carabao” written on it and P46,00  cash was also recovered but the cash reportedly collected by the victim in Mandaue City was missing. Also missing was the P6,000 income last Friday, according to the resto bar workers.

Police have yet to determine why the Korean businessman had collections in Mandaue City.

Police picked up a carpenter, Ireneo Villarmia, for questioning after reports that he and the Korean national had a misunderstanding last Friday.

Villarmia was reportedly hired by the victim to make some repairs on the resto bar’s roof but the Korean national allegedly noticed some deficiencies resulting to their argument.

Villarmia strongly denied his involvement in the crime and expressed willingness to face investigation. He was brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory for a paraffin test to determine if he fired a gun.

Police are still conducting further investigation on the incident.

Meanwhile, a couple landed at the hospital after they were shot by an unidentified man in Barangay Ermita last Friday night.

The victims, Armand Balamia, 41, and his live in partner Joan Paca, 37, both residents of Barangay Pasil, sustained gunshot wounds.

The couple was reportedly walking along sitio Ermita Beach at past 9 pm on their way to visit Balamia’s niece, Carmela Aupe, when a lone gunman appeared and shot them.

Balamia was hit on his left thigh while Paca, who was hit next, was injured in the left side of her body. The bullet exited on the right side.

The assailant, who wore a white sleeveless shirt and hat, fled on foot.

Balamia was taken to the Cebu City Medical Center while Paca still managed to run home before she was rushed by her brother to a private hospital.

 SPO4 Rey Cuyos of the Homicide Section said they are still investigating the case to identify the culprit and eventually know his motive for attacking the victims. — Jose P. Sollano and Niña G. Sumacot/MIT