Cebu police, S. Korea consulate probing robbery involving Koreans

Two Korean nationals were arrested while their accomplice was killed after the group was caught allegedly robbing a businessman in Brgy. Banilad, Cebu City and refused to surrender to the police on Tuesday evening, April 2. | Photo courtesy of dyHP via Paul Lauro

CEBU CITY — The Cebu City Police Office is coordinating with the South Korean Consulate Office in their investigation of the foiled robbery involving Korean nationals in a posh subdivision in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City that led to the death of one of them.

Pol. Maj. Romeo Caacoy Jr., Chief of Cebu City Police Station 4, said that background checks were being conducted on the three suspects – all Koreans – who robbed a Korean businessman on the evening of April 2.

READ: Cebu City robbery: Korean national killed, 2 others nabbed

One of the three suspects was killed in an encounter with responding policemen while two others were arrested and facing charges of robbery and frustrated homicide.

Around 9 p.m. on April 2, the Cebu City Police received an alarm that three Korean nationals allegedly robbed another Korean national inside a subdivision in Barangay Banilad.

The suspects were reported to be armed.

Cebu City Police Station 4, along with the SWAT Team and Regional Intelligence Division (RID-7), responded to the incident.

Upon arriving at the scene, the police asked the suspects to surrender, but one of the suspects fired at the responding team, injuring one of the personnel from RID-7.

“We asked them to surrender, but they refused, leading to the shootout,” said Major Caacoy.

The slain suspect was identified as Choi Sun Yong, 47, while the two others were identified as Kim Yong Hee, 46, and Kim Jun Hee, 49.

The police were able to rescue the victim Lee Sangdon, 43, and two of his house helpers.

The police recovered three firearms, P200,000 in cash, jewelry, and two Philippe Patek watches worth P25,000,000.

Police stated that the victim was a businessman renting a house in the posh subdivision, while the suspects were temporarily staying in one of the hotels in the city.

Caacoy said they are intensifying their investigation, especially regarding the backgrounds of the suspects and the victim.

They are also attempting to determine the connection between the involved individuals.

“Our investigation into the victim and suspects, as well as their relationship, is ongoing,” added Caacoy.

The media tried to get statements from the two arrested Korean nationals but were refused.