Korean, ‘cohorts’ plead not guilty in kidnapping case

The Korean businessman and three Filipinos who were accused of kidnapping another Korean and his live-in partner in Cebu City entered a plea of “not guilty” during their arraignment yesterday.

Song Sung Heum, Leonard Bulabon, Gregorio Dealagdon, and Richard Dealagdon denied the charges of kidnapping with ransom before Regional Trial Court Judge Ma. Lynna Adviento of Branch 58.

Song was assisted by lawyer Michael Maestrado while the three Filipino were represented by lawyer Fritz Quinto during the proceedings.

The pre-trial conference is set on Jan. 22, 2013.

On the same date, the court will also hear Song’s petition for bail.

This means that Song along with the three other accused will stay in jail during the Christmas season.

The four were indicted by the Cebu City Prosecutors’ for alegedly kidnapping 28-year-old Korean national Jun Hyung Chung and his Filipina live-in partner Charise Santiago.

The four accused were arrested by police last Oct. 24 and were charged with the non-bailable offense.

In his affidavit, Chung said he and his live-in partner were inside their apartment in barangay Lahug when someone knocked on the door.

When he opened it, Chung and his live-in positively identified the kidnappers.

Chung said Bulabon and Gregorio were the same persons who got inside his apartment and took them to the car.

Richard, on the other hand, was the driver of the car, he said.

Chung identified the alleged mastermind as Song who is his buddy in the casino./REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL