MANILA, Philippines—Police recovered the body of a Korean national kidnapped and then killed allegedly by his would-be translator and several suspects last March, as manhunt operations have been launched against those responsible, a police official said on Wednesday.

Police are now looking for Eliseo Mancilla and several other unidentified suspects for the abduction and death of Chang Byung Il, 49, who disappeared last April 3 days after arriving in the country to meet with his Filipina friend, said Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez, chief of the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response.

Chang’s skeletal remains were found on June 25 in a 350-foot deep ravine in Aurora, near the province’s welcome arch, almost three months after the Korean Embassy reported to authorities about the victim’s disappearance.

Police also arrested one Ronnel Mitra, as one of those responsible for Chang’s death.

Chang, a native of Seoul, South Korea, arrived in Baguio City last March to visit a certain Rowena Olay, whom he met online.

Chang was eventually introduced to Mancilla, a supposed Korean interpreter, who also acted as Chang’s guide.

Mitra told authorities that on March 26, he drove Mancilla and Chang from Baguio City to Manila. While on their way back, Mancilla reportedly instructed Mitra to drive towards Coastal Road in Parañaque City where they picked up another unidentified suspect.

Upon reaching the Ilocos region, Mancilla and the unidentified suspect immobilized the already sleeping Chang with a stun gun, before hitting the victim repeatedly on the head, causing his death.

The victim’s hands were bound with a packaging tape. His wallet and ATM card were taken from him before he was dumped in the ravine, Nerez said.

Even with Chang’s death, the suspects still contacted the victim’s family in South Korea and demanded for US$1,500 of ransom, Nerez said, quoting Mitra’s account.

In a follow-up operation, police eventually arrested Mitra on June 20 in a pier in Masbate province. The suspect helped police locate Chang’s body, Nerez said.

Charges of kidnapping for ransom aggravated with murder will be filed against Mitra, who is under PACER’s custody as of this time, Nerez said.