Local Korean community pays tribute to shooting victim in Angeles City
Angeles City, Pampanga. INQUIRER FILES
ANGELES CITY — South Korean consulate officials and members of the Korean community gathered to pay their respects to a fellow Korean national who was fatally shot during a robbery on April 20 in broad daylight in Barangay Anunas.
South Korean Consul General Sang Seun-man led the solemn tribute on Tuesday at the site where Kim Il Dong, a Korean tourist, was gunned down by one of two motorcycle-riding suspects.
Flowers, candles, and fruits were offered and laid in the victim’s memory.
A message addressed to the assailant was left on a signboard at the scene: “The bullet you fired didn’t just take a life. It shattered a family’s future. He didn’t resist.”
Police reports show the incident occurred around 1:50 a.m. along Fil-Am Friendship Highway in the Korean Town area. Two unidentified men on a motorcycle approached Kim, and the back rider attempted to snatch his bag. When Kim resisted, he was shot in the torso. The assailants fled immediately after the shooting.
Both suspects were reportedly wearing jackets, reflectorized vests, pants, and helmets. Kim was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
In response, the Korean Community Association of Angeles City offered a P200,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspects, according to a statement released by the city government on Monday, April 21.
Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. has given the local police 72 hours to solve the case. The city government is urging residents to come forward with any relevant information.
Concerns over the safety of Korean nationals in Angeles City have been raised.
On Jan. 23 and again on Feb. 18, representatives of the Korean Community Association met with acting city police director Col. Joselito Villarosa Jr. to discuss security measures.
During the meeting, Villarosa noted that a Tactical Motorcycle Response Unit, composed of 10 motorcycle-riding officers, was actively patrolling areas densely populated by Koreans. Shortly after the meeting, the Korean association donated 10 ballistic plate carriers to the unit to enhance their protection.
On Feb. 19, a separate incident in Korean Town led to the death of a motorcycle rider who allegedly tried to draw a firearm when approached by police. His companion was wounded.
Authorities reported that the duo had been riding a motorcycle without a license plate and were suspected of being involved in a string of snatching incidents targeting Korean residents.
Police continue to investigate the recent killing and other crimes in the area, as the Korean community calls for stronger security and justice for the slain tourist. INQ
READ: Korean tourist shot dead during robbery in Angeles City
