CEBU, Philippines - The Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Cebu is backing the good standing of the president of the Korean Association of Cebu who is facing allegations of being a “drug lord.”
Consul and Police Attache Yong Sang Lee has certified that Bong Hwan Cho, also known as Charlie Cho, the husband of Cordova Mayor Mary Therese “Teche” Sitoy-Cho, is a highly respected member of the Korean community in Cebu and has faithfully served as president of the association since 2014 until the present.
“This is to certify that he is known to be a peace-loving man of good moral character, unquestionable integrity and honorable reputation,” said Lee.
Lee issued the certification on April 12 at the height of the campaign for the May 9 elections when rumors, according to broadcaster Rey Cortes, came out about the alleged involvement of Cho in the illegal drug trade in Cordova.
Cho has already filed nine counts of libel against Cortes for accusing him of being a “drug lord” over radio station DYRC.
Both the National Bureau of Investigation on June 15 and the Cordova Police Station on July 12 also certified that Cho has no criminal records.
Last Wednesday, Cho filed four more counts of libel against Cortes before Cebu City Prosecutor Liceria Lofranco Rabillas.
Cho’s counsel and father-in-law, Cordova Vice Mayor Adelino Sitoy, said undaunted by their two previous complaints for libel, DYRC “continued to hold libelous station-produced programs on July 18, 20, 21 and 22 at past 5:00 p.m.” anchored by Cortes and actively managed by Ramil Paican, the assistant manager.
Paican was included in all the complaints being the one handling the management of the radio station.
Cho filed the first four counts on July 12 covering the July 5 to 8 broadcast of Cortes while the other five counts covering the July 11 to 15 broadcast were filed on July 19.
Cortes welcomed the filing of the complaints so that he can answer them in the proper forum.
Cortes said there were rumors during the election period about the alleged involvement of Cho in the illegal drug trade in Cordova, prompting him to reopen the issue now that Cho is the town’s “first gentleman.” (FREEMAN)