2 killed in foiled kidnap of Koreans in southern Philippines

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 21, 2009)–Policemen killed two gunmen in a firefight early Friday after they stormed a small hotel in a failed attempt to kidnap two South Korean holidaymakers in the southern Philippines.

Police said three gunmen managed to escape and that security forces were tracking down the trio in the town of Santo Nino in South Cotabato province.

The gunmen stormed the Signature Place where the foreigners and local guests were staying, but policemen who were notified about the siege foiled the possible kidnappings of the Koreans.

“There is a pursuit operation and soldiers and policemen are tracking down the gunmen,” Colonel Jonathan Ponce, a spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Ponce said the security forces pursuing the gunmen are members of the newly formed anti-terror and anti-kidnapping group called Task Force 12-Alpha.

“We still do not know what group these armed men belong, but we are sure they are planning to kidnap the two Koreans,” Ponce said without further elaborating. (With a report from Geo Solmerano)

Do Not Travel To Mindanao, Koreans Told As Trouble Heats Up In Restive Region

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / 15 Aug) – South Korea on Wednesday warned its citizens against traveling to the southern Philippines, where security forces are battling Abu Sayyaf terrorists and insurgents.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Koreans to refrain from traveling to Mindanao island, citing security reasons, the Korea Times reported on its website Wednesday.

”The Philippine government is now conducting military operations to crack down anti-government militants there after a carnage on government troops done last Friday by the violent insurgents,” according to the ministry.

Tension in high in the region because of sporadic fighting between security forces and militants, it said.

It was not immediately known how the travel van would affect Korean interests in the southern Philippines.

Many Koreans live in Mindanao, particularly in Davao and Zamboanga cities, where they have investments from different business mostly in resorts, clubs and restaurants.

The United States also warned its citizens from traveling to Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago because of the spate of bombings and kidnappings of foreigners.

The Philippine military poured more than 10,000 soldiers on the islands of Basilan and Jolo to fight growing threats of terrorism and insurgency.

Security officials said 41 soldiers and more than 40 gunmen were killed in pitch battle since last month on the two islands, both part of the Muslim autonomous region.

Dahil Sa Utang, Dayuhan Nagpatiwakal Sa Cebu

LAPU-LAPU CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 20 Mar) – Isang South Korean national na umano’y lubog sa utang ang nagpakamatay sa loob ng kanyang tinutuluyang hotel sa Lapu-Lapu City sa Cebu province.

Kinilala ng pulisya ang dayuhan na si Kang Hong Saok at ayon sa imbestigasyon ay naganap diumano ang pagpapatiwakal bago maghating-gabi kamakalawa.

Patay na ng dumating sa pagamutan ang dayuhan. Isinailalim na rin sa paraffin test ng pulisya ang mga kamay ni Kang Hong Saok upang mabatid kung talagang nagpakamatay ito.

Isang tama ng bala mula sa .38-kalibre ang tumagos sa sintido nito na tumagos naman sa kabilang ulong nito.

Nabawi rin ng pulisya ang nasabing baril sa tabi ng bangkay ng dayuhan.

Hindi naman mabatid ang dahilan kung bakit ito nagpakamatay, ngunit ayon sa mga kaibigan nito ay baon diumano sa utang ang biktima at posibleng ito ang nagtulak sa kanyang wakasan ang sariling buhay.

Tubong Kyung Gido sa South Korea ang nagpatiwakal, subali’t matagal-tagal na rin umanong namamalagi sa Cebu. Hindi naman sinabi ng pulisya kung may asawa itong Pinay at kung ano ang negosyo.

Maraming mga South Koreans ang naninirahan sa Cebu. (Mindanao Examiner)