PRO-7 to help probe Korean tourist’s death

CEBU, Philippines - The Korean Police Attache has sought the help of the Police Regional Office (PRO) -7 following the discovery of the dead body of a South Korean national in an apartment in Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday.

Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño, PRO-7 director, confirmed to reporters that the foreign police met with him yesterday morning.

"Nag-follow-up sila sa Korean (national) na namatay sa Lapu-Lapu. We will make a special investigation task group para may tututok diyan sa sa kaso na ikinamatay ng isang Korean," Taliño said.

Last Saturday, Soon Yong Hwang, 49, was found dead inside his apartment in Barangay Mactan last Saturday afternoon.

According to Senior Police Officer 1 Lydo Pinos of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) – Homicide Section, Hwang’s dead body was discovered by apartment owner Dionisio Silawan.  Police said they have yet to determine the real cause of his death, because Silawan told LCPO that the foreign national's body was already in a state of decomposition when it was discovered.

Taliño said an empty shell from an unidentified firearm was recovered from the scene and police are ruling out the possibility that Hwang had committed suicide.

Personnel from LCPO, Scene of the Crime Operatives, Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory, as well as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 will be part of the task group.

"As much as possible ma-solve ang kaso… We want to protect the tourists (against criminality) here in Cebu," Taliño said. (FREEMAN)