MABALACAT COPS RESCUE KOREAN NATIONAL, ARREST 3 OF 5 KIDNAPPERS

BY KEVIN GALANG

AUTHORITIES on Friday rescued a Korean national and arrested three of the five alleged kidnappers in a rescue operation in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

In a report to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, Mabalacat City police chief Lt. Col. Efren David identified the arrested suspects as John Jacob Simbulan, 23, of Bgy. Cristo Rey Navy, Capas, Tarlac; Paula Bianca Julian, 22, of Bgy. Dolores, Mabalacat City; and Renan Coronel, 17, also of  Mabalacat City in Pampanga.

The alleged mastermind and another cohort are being hunted.

Initial probe showed that Korean national Jeung Jae Moon, 55, of Kwarang Village, Purok 2, Bgy. Manibaug Paralaya, Porac, informed the police that another Korean national identified as Tae Durk Park, 57, of Camia St., Timog Park Subd., Angeles City was forcibly dragged by the five suspects into a black Kia Carnival with conduction plate number AP338A on Friday.

Jeung told police he and Park on October 24 arranged a meet up with the suspects on Camachile St. in Mabalacat City regarding a car purchase.

He said they encountered the suspects online or through social media.

When the two Koreans arrived at the meeting place, the three men suddenly pointed guns at them and forcibly took them inside the SUV.  

However, Jeung was able to escape from the suspects who took Park with them.

The kidnappers brought Park at the Green Park Resort and Villa located in Bgy. Mabiga, Mabalacat City and negotiated with Jeung for a ransom of P100,000 in exchange for the release of the victim.

This prompted Jeung to seek help from the Mabalacat City police to rescue Park.

Members of Mabalacat City Police Intelligence Unit, together with the Provincial Intelligence Unit  Pampanga, conducted a rescue operation , which  resulted in the arrest of the three suspects and  the safe rescue of Park.

The operating team also recovered the vehicle used by the suspects.