Korean fugitive nabbed in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines —  A Korean fugitive was arrested Wednesday in Cebu City by the elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 allegedly for fraud amounting to at least P10 million.

CIDG-7 regional director, Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, said the operation stemmed from a coordination made by the Korean government to the Bureau of Immigration which eventually coordinated with their office.

Authorities identified the accused as Kim Byunggon, 43, who was arrested in a condominium where he was staying in Barangay Apas, Cebu City by members of the CIDG-7 Lapu-Lapu Field Unit.

“Ang kaso ng taong ito ay meron syang outstanding warrant of arrest for defrauding a million Korean won kung dito sa atin yan ay parang large scale estafa activity. So ang equivalent Philippine currency nitong 200 million Korean won ay amounting to more or less 10 million pesos,” Dalogdog told reporters.

The CIDG-7 has yet to establish how long Kim could possibly be hiding in the city after his warrant of arrest was issued in South Korea.

“Accordingly, kahapon may interview na nangyari na ginawa ng aming kasamahan, parang engage sya doon sa katulad dito sa atin na mga fraud na may mga nag-iinvest din. Kaya lang ang sabi nya, marami naman daw syang kasama pero sya daw yung naipit, kaya pumunta daw sya dito para magtago,” said Dalogdog.

Yesterday, the CIDG-7 turned over Kim to the BI as he is expected to be deported back to South Korea.

In their initial investigation, Dalogdog said they haven’t also found any information that Kim has established a group in the city with similar activities he conducted in Korea.

He further said that Kim was just simply hiding in the city.

“Sya seguro yung founder alam naman pag estafa, marami kang kasama, pero sabi nga nya sya daw tung naipit, kun baga marami nga sila, organized din yung scam activity nila,” said Dalogdog.

The warrant of arrest against Kim was received by the CIDG-7 last April 21.

Aside from Kim, Dalogdog said they haven’t monitored nor received any information about other foreign fugitives hiding in the city.

“From time to time meron naman tayong coordination with the Korean National Police at the same time dito sa Bureau of Immigration, maganda naman yung raport namin in terms of support and coordination para magkaroon tayo ng magandang resulta sa ating law enforcement,” said Dalogdog. — GMR (FREEMAN)