Hold order on Koreans in Starex theft case

THE court yesterday issued a hold departure order (HDO) against three Koreans linked to a series of car thefts in Metro Cebu.

Judge Wilfredo Navarro of Regional Trial Court Branch 19 in Cebu City found sufficient basis to prevent the accused from traveling abroad without the court’s permission.

“There is reason for the court to issue a HDO so these agencies of the government concerned shall take necessary action to prevent the departure of these three accused from the country,” the judge said in his order.

Kim Kyung Hwan, 33; Wonseok Lee, 32; and Janghyun Lee, 34 each posted P180,000 bail pending resolution of the carnapping charges filed against them before the RTC in Cebu City.

Kim, Wonseok, and Janghyun were accused of stealing the gray Hyundai Starex van of Francisco Perater Jr. in barangay Parian, Cebu City early this month.

The three Koreans were arrested by police in Mandaue City last Feb. 20.

A complaint for carnapping was filed against them before the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office. During the inquest proceedings, the Koreans chose not to avail of a preliminary investigation which would have allowed them to submit their counter-affidavits to refute the allegations. Asst. City Prosecutor Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas elevated the charges against the accused in court yesterday. Two accused identified as Kim Jae Young, 42, alias Leo Lim/Andy, Hong Seo Yong, 28, alias Luis and Raphael Montilla, alias Raprap, were arrested last week in relation to the car thefts. Montilla was out on bail but the two Koreans remain at Cebu City Jail since they also face drug charges.Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol and Correspondent Chito Aragon