Police, Korean community strengthen links amid crimes

Police officers met with Korean comunity leaders in Cebu City to discuss how to maintain peace and order in the wake of a kidnap for ransom and car ambush involving conflicts between Koreans in recent weeks.

Several proposals were made:

l) Korean visitors have to be oriented on Philippine laws and culture;

2) Police officers in Cebu need to learn the Korean langauge and have a liason officer with the Korean community;

3) Information should be shared about possible Korean fugitives in Cebu.

The dialog was held at the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) office on Thursday evening.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, Lapu-Lapu City police chief, said Korean police attaché Jeung Hyun Woo said there were Korean fugitives who may have entered the country since no visa was needed to visit the Philippines.

Lawas said they agreed to share data with Jeung “so we can help them arrest these fugitives and deport them to South Korea.”

Among those who attended the dialogue were Korean travel agency operators and Korean businessmen led by Jong Hyun Oh, South Korean Police Attache and Charlie Shin, president of the Cebu Korean Association.

PRO-7 chief Marcelo Garbo Jr. arbo attended with deputy director for operation, Senior Supt. Louie Oppus.

About 35,000 South Koreans will visit Cebu for educational tours starting this month until December, said Lawas.

“They have to respect us, understand our laws and culture especially that they are in the Philippines. We also need to understand their culture,” he said.

He said the Korean association can coordinate with the government and police so that visitors would know which place is safe to stay.

Police officers will also be trained in the Korean language to better handle cases involving Koreans.

Garbo said all four provinces of Central Visayas have Korean liaison officers. Their names and contact numbers will be posted in a visible area in the airport.

A Korean desk will also be set up in every police precinct, Garbo said.

Cebu already has a Korean honorary consul, Augusto Go, and attache office.

Charlie Shin was chosen liaison officer for Central Visayas.

Last Oct. 24, a Korean and his Filipina girlfriend were rescued in Cebu City after being reportedly kidnapped for ransom by another Korean, Song SeungHem and three local cohorts over an unpaid debt.

On Oct. 31, Korean investor Lee Dong Gun and his assistant Jung Ha Bok survived a shooting attack when their car drove out of Lee’s subdivision in Pacific Villa 1 in Lapu-Lapu City.

Frustrated murder charges were filed against another Korean businessman, Kim Jae Hyung alias “Kevin Kim”, who was identified as the mastermind.

Police said Kim was a 10-year resident in Cebu who would press fellow Koreans to accept his “protection”.

He remains at large along with the unidentified gunman, and two alleged local cohorts Rodenio Absin Espiritu and Boy Booc.

In Thursday’s dialog, Chief Supt. Garbo promised the Korean communities that the police would treat all Koreans fairly, whether they are suspects of a crime or the victim.

Garbo said it was normal for Koreans to have differences among themselves.

He assured that the police would respond promptly to a trouble alarm soon after a complaint reaches authorities.