Three South Korean nationals who are wanted in their country and allegedly involved in kidnap-for-ransom activities in the Philippines have been arrested in Makati City last June 15, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Friday, June 18.
NBI Officer-in-Charge Director Eric B. Distor identified those arrested as Changjoo Cho, Dawon Beom, and Changwoo Hong.
They were arrested in the apartment they were renting in Legaspi Village during an operation conducted by the NBI’s Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU), Distor said.
In a statement, the NBI said the operation was conducted after the NBI-SAU received reports that a syndicate composed of Koreans has been involved in kidnap-for-ransom activities in the cities of Manila and Makati.
“The Syndicate is reportedly in possession of unlicensed high-powered firearms, which they use in their illegal activities,” it said.
During its investigation, the NBI-SAU discovered that the three are “fugitives from South Korea wanted for prosecution with outstanding Warrants for their arrest.”
“Records showed that the three (3) subjects were charged with violations of Article 26 of the Korean National Sports Promotion Act with maximum penalties up to seven years,” the NBI said.
Korean Embassy Police Liaison Officer Maj. Sungsoo Chang accompanied the NBI agents in the operation, it added.