Korean kidnap victim found dead in Jolo

FILE PHOTO

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The body of a kidnapped Korean national was found near the Sulu State College in Jolo, Sulu, on Saturday night.

Navy Commander Vincent Roy Trinidad, the chief of staff of Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem), identified the victim as Hong Nwi Seong, a Korean national who was kidnapped by alleged Abu Sayyaf bandits in Roseller Lim town in Zamboanga Sibugay on Jan. 24.

Trinidad said the 73-year old and his wife were visiting his son, Gobui Hong Sik Young, restaurant owner who has been operating a mineral processing plant in RT Lim town, when he was abducted by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits.

They were having a family dinner when the armed men arrived.

“They all fought against the seven captors (who wearing police uniforms) during the kidnapping. Gobui, his two Korean friends and his mother were able to escape,” a source from the Anti-Kidnapping Group said.

Seong’s body, which was in the initial stage of decomposition, was recovered around 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

Trinidad said an initial police report said the body had no gunshot or stab marks, and that the time of death was estimated to be three to five days ago.

Trinidad said Seong was reported to be ill while in the hands of his abductors.  CB/SFM

RELATED STORIES

Rise in kidnapping cases in western Mindanao linked to 2016 polls

EDITORIAL: Kidnapping, curious