Korean mining executive kidnapped in Lanao del Sur
COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Unidentified men abducted another South Korean mining executive in Lanao del Sur, the police confirmed on Thursday.
Senior Insp. John Condo, police chief of Saguiaran town, said Korean Song Ki Eon was with PO2 Roel Billardo when abducted in Barangay Mipaga, near Marawi City on Monday (January 19).
Condo told a radio station here that based on Billardo’s account, the policeman and Song travelled from Cagayan de Oro City, where the Korean was based, to Iligan City on Monday to meet with prospective business partners.
Along the way, Song got calls from still unidentified persons who told him to instead proceed to Marawi City, Condo said quoting Billardo’s account to the police.
Billardo told investigators that he opposed the idea because “Marawi is dangerous for foreigners” but the Korean insisted. Song then reportedly took the wheel of the black Toyota Avanza they were riding in.
“As they reached Barangay Mipaga, three men boarded the Avanza and directed Song where to drive,” Condo said, adding that based on Billardo’s account, Song appeared to know the three.
“They were allegedly talking about mining exploration business,” Condo added.
As they approached Marawi City, Condo said the three men reportedly forced the Korean to transfer to a Tamaraw FX before handcuffing Billardo to the Avanza.
Condo said the police’s anti-kidnapping task group has taken over the investigation of the case while the Saguiaran police and other police units in the province conducted search and rescue operations.
Song is the latest Korean to be abducted in Lanao del Sur.
In October 2011, armed men also seized South Korean miners Woo Shu Bong, Kim Nam Dou and a Choi.
They were later freed after paying ransom to still unidentified kidnappers.
In March 2008, South Korean businessman, Tae Jung, and his Filipino companion were kidnapped in Lanao del Sur. They were freed after paying ransom money.
In September 2014, Zaldy Sarangani, one of the suspects in the kidnapping of the South Korean and the Filipino was arrested.
Sarangani was charged with kidnapping, along with an Abu Bakal, and others known only by the aliases Commander Antig; Engineer; Anwar, also known as Ano, Anwar Ampaso and Mohammad Anwar; Palos; Malik; and Salem.
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