TWO Korean nationals are facing charges before the court following their arrest on Friday, February 17, for allegedly kidnapping a fellow Korean and failure to settle their obligations to an apartelle in Davao City.
Charged with estafa, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention, are Jeongpyo Hong and Inryoul Park, both temporary residents of the Chateau Veronica Apartelle along Araullo Street in Poblacion District, Davao City.
In a resolution dated February 23, prosecutor Joy Bernales–Largo found probable cause to charge the two accused following the complaint filed by their fellow Korean Nam Joung Nam and the owner of the apartelle.
Nam, in his complaint affidavit, said that Hong and Park invited him to go with them on February 15, Wednesday, for no reason. Since then, they did not allow him to leave and asked P1-million ransom from his family.
The complainant was able to escape from the two accused around 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 15, with the help of his friend Park Ui Jeung. Nam reported the incident to the authorities the following day at 2 p.m.
Personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Eastern Mindanao then conducted a manhunt operation and arrested the two accused on February 17. The two accused were tourists here.
Based on further investigation, the receptionists of the apartelle tried to ask payment from the two accused for their stay covering the period February 8 to February 15, but both of them failed to settle their obligation.
Hong and Park promised to pay their balance but on February 16, the two accused left and failed to pay their balance worth P10,180. The prosecutor came up with a resolution based on the complaints.
