Korean held for hitting post, ‘strangles’ cameraman
By Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:14:00 05/06/2008
Filed Under: Local authorities, Road Accidents, Media
MANILA, Philippines – Police on Monday arrested a Korean man who, after hitting a concrete electric post, tried to strangle a cameraman for a local TV network who was with a group of reporters who tried to interview him about the accident.
Nam Kuk Park, 24, was taken to the Quezon City Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) Sector 1 in Balintawak after the incident.
A police report said Park was driving his Mitsubishi car when he hit a concrete electrical post at the corner of Examiner Street and Quezon Avenue at around 5:30 a.m. Monday.
Park then left his vehicle behind to seek treatment for his injuries. Moments later, according to the report, the Korean returned and saw a group of reporters who tried to ask him about the incident.
Instead of answering, Park, who seemed to be drunk, embraced radio reporter Edwin Sevidal of dzMM.
The Korean then asked a group of cameramen, including Edilberto Lupangco of ABS-CBN, not to take video footages of him.
Sevidal said he saw Park approach and embrace Lupangco who decided to hand over his camera to his assistant.
Suddenly, Park placed his hands around the cameraman’s neck and tried to strangle him.
According to Sevidal, the Korean threatened to kill Lupangco as he boasted about his martial arts skills.
“I know martial arts. I can kill you,” Sevidal said he overheard the Korean telling the cameraman.
“At first, we thought he was just joking. But the Korean tightened his grip on Lupangco’s neck,” he added.
Lupangco was able to free himself as he twisted the right thumb of the Korean, Sevidal said.
The police report said a case of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property would be filed against the suspect. The cameraman decided not to press charges against Park.
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