Korean found dead in Mactan motel

CEBU, Philippines - A 45-year-old Korean was found dead inside a room at Queensland Motel in Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City, the other day. He was believed to have committed suicide.

PO1 John Ricaforte of the Lapu-Lapu City police said they received a call from the motel’s supervisor around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, saying the motel staff found Chang Woo Kang lifeless on his bed and already covered in blood.

The motel staff was prompted to forcefully open Kang’s room when he did not answer their calls to remind him of his bill.

Investigators found a suicide note beside Kang’s body along with a .38 cal. revolver with four live rounds and an empty shell. Kang reportedly shot himself in the right temple and the bullet exited from the left side of his head. 

Charlie Shin, president of the Korean Association of Cebu, said the note, which was written in the Korean, said, “I’m sorry brother, I do not want to live anymore.”

Ricaforte said the motel staff first called Kang’s room 7 a.m. Saturday to inform him of his bill but Kang reportedly told them his companion would be the one to pay it for him. After more than an hour, a girl came out of Kang’s room but did not pay the bill.

Ricaforte said no one at the motel could identify the girl but the hotel personnel said she reportedly did not check in with the victim Friday.

While the suicide angle seems valid, police said they are not discounting the possibility that the woman who left Kang’s room might have something to do with the victim’s death. A follow-up investigation is now underway.

It was not determined when he arrived in Cebu but Kang lived in Lapu-Lapu City and was reportedly of the motel’s frequent clients. — AJ de la Torre/JMO (THE FREEMAN)