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EJ Macababbad - The Philippine Star
May 24, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The South Korean embassy has warned its citizens to be careful amid a “deteriorating crime situation” and “serious crimes” targeting Korean nationals.
The advisory was issued after two Koreans strolling along 9th Avenue in front of One Park Drive in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig were robbed at gunpoint by four men on two motorcycles at 11:40 p.m. on May 17. The robbers escaped with the victims’ cash and designer bags.
The advisory noted that the robbery occurred in BGC, “which was considered relatively safe.”
“Given that armed robberies, deaths, abductions, and other serious crimes against Korean nationals are frequently occurring and the deteriorating crime situation, Korean nationals are advised to refrain from unnecessary movements during late-night hours,” the advisory said.
Following the robbery, over 100 police officers were deployed to secure BGC, according to Taguig’s newly appointed police officer-in-charge.
The suspects, identified only as Adam from Caloocan and John from Manila, allegedly snatched two designer bags worth a combined P200,000 from the victims, aged 33 and 45.
Police said the robbery involved a tactic increasingly used by criminals to facilitate quick escapes and mask their identities with helmets.
“The (victims) initially refused to file a complaint, but we won’t allow that as the suspects would only get loose,” said Col. Rodel Pastor, officer-in-charge of the Taguig police. “So police went to their addresses and convinced them to make a sworn statement.”
Pastor disclosed that Adam had a prior carjacking charge, while John had been involved in a previous robbery. Both suspects were released after posting bail. Robbery charges have since been filed against them.
He noted that foreign victims often hesitate to press charges, choosing instead to pursue insurance claims, which undermines police efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
Pastor, who also serves as deputy director for operations at the Southern Police District, said the suspects may belong to gangs operating from neighboring cities.
In response, more than 100 officers have been assigned to the Fort Bonifacio substation, which covers BGC and adjacent areas, with 50 reinforcements added.
Security operations have been intensified in other major convergence zones, including Entertainment City in Parañaque and the Mall of Asia in Pasay.
Pastor noted that police are also closely monitoring motorcycle riders who pose as food delivery or transport service drivers – an increasingly common disguise among suspects involved in recent crimes.
The heightened security presence in BGC and other areas is part of a broader directive from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, who ordered increased police visibility nationwide following a series of crimes involving foreign nationals.
This initiative includes bolstering tourist security desks and installing multilingual safety signages at airports, hotels and transport hubs in tourist-heavy areas.
Training programs are also being launched for village watchmen in areas with high tourist activity. Select police officers will receive basic Korean language training to better assist Korean nationals at police assistance desks.
In a statement from the Presidential Communications Office, Consul-General Sang Seung-man appealed to the Philippine government for “strong reinforcement in enhancing the safety of the Korean communities in addressing the alarming violent crimes targeting Korean nationals, both residents and visitors alike.”
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) executive director Gilberto Cruz met with embassy officials and the United Korean Community Association on May 16 to address these concerns.
In a separate case, Cruz confirmed that renewed efforts are underway to apprehend former police officer Rafael Dumlao III, the prime suspect in the 2016 kidnapping and murder of Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo.
In Pampanga, suspects involved in the robbery and attempted murder of another Korean national have been arrested and linked to other crimes in the area. — Emmanuel Tupas
