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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Korean trader planned own murder for insurance -- police

Korean trader planned own murder for insurance -- police

Published Mar 2, 2021 10:19 am

It was supposed to be a perfect murder hatched for the sake of insurance payment.

But 55-year old Korean 'victim' Nam Sunuk is no longer around to know that his own murder did not go well as planned.

(Photo via Aaron Recuenco)

Investigators of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have discovered that the pre-Valentine's Day murder of Nam, a businessman, was aimed at collecting payment for his life insurance during a thorough investigation of the case which caught the interest of embassy officials of South Korea, especially that a policeman was also involved.

The cadaver of Nam was discovered on February 15 inside his Sports Utility Vehicle that was abandoned in a vacant lot fronting a cemetery in Purok 4, Area 6, G. Marcelo St., in Barangay Maysan in Valenzuela City. He was shot to death on the night of February 13 inside his car.

PNP chief Gen. Debold M. Sinas said that his men got a good lead when two of the suspects, Kimberly Radores and Rica Estrella, were bothered by their conscience and disclosed all the details they knew about the death of Nam when police confronted them. It was during that revelation that police found out that a policeman, Corporal Darwin Castillo, was also involved. 

Sinas said the three already gave their extra-judicial confession which resulted in the arrest of the other suspects identified as Rusty Cruz, Josephine Nape, Leana Nagaño, Bryan Gulfo and Bryan Escamillas.

"A case of murder was already filed against them. The individual participation of each of the suspects is enough to establish their culpability," said Sinas.

Based on the investigation, Nam was shot dead allegedly by Gulfo and Escamillas also in Barangay Maysan. The car was then driven to the location where the car was later found. Castillo had been tailing the car of Nam during the entire execution of the plan.

"It was clearly established that the incident was a case of murder for insurance which according to the revelation of the two suspects was planned by the victim himself.

Sinas said the electronic mail sent by Nam to one of the suspects were retrieved and preserved, which then became the basis to establish that his death was his own plan. 

Police would not say why Nam planned his own death but the result of the probe was already forwarded to the South Korean Embassy in Manila. 

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