Man faces murder raps for ‘killing’ Korean national

CEBU, Philippines — A man is facing murder charges before the court for allegedly killing a Korean national inside a hotel in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City six months ago.

Prosecutor III Van Russel Inopiquez held Jesus Salvador Casado, a resident of Til-haom, Consolacion, Cebu, for trial after finding probable cause for allegedly killing Youngho Lee.

“In this case, all the elements of murder are present. The qualifying circumstance of treachery or alevosia and evident premeditation is present in this case. In fact it is clear that the victim was kneeling and begging for forgiveness to the respondent,” read the resolution.

No bail was recommended for Casado.

In his complaint, Young Hun Oh, the Korean Consulate in Cebu, said Youngho was shot dead inside a hotel on August 26 last year.

Young, on behalf of Youngho’s family, filed the complaint against Casado.

The Mabolo police, in an affidavit, said they received a shooting alarm around 6 p.m. on August 26.

Investigators were able to collect evidence from room 545 where the accused possibly stayed, ripped pictures of a woman, and receipts indicating the name of Precy Junio Abayon, a resident of Sitio Sampaguita, Lamac, Consolacion, Cebu.

With the help of Consolacion police, investigators were able to trace the identity of Abayon, the live-in partner of Casado.

The witness also identified Casado, a regular customer of the hotel.

Casado and Youngho reportedly had a heated argument, according to Krisha Diomila Refuerzo, a hotel guest.

She said she saw Youngho raised his hands to cover his head, kneeled in front of Casado and begged for forgiveness.

She called the security guard to pacify, but then she heard several gunshots.

Later, she saw Casado leaving the hotel onboard a motorcycle.

Inopiquez issued a subpoena directing Casado to answer the allegations filed against him, but the latter failed.

Inopiquez rendered a ruling based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, resulting in the filing of murder charges against Casado. The ruling was also approved by the Prosecutor Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas. — KBQ (FREEMAN)