CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 4 Feb) – A kidnapped South Korean businessman was released in Saguiaran town, Lanao del Sur Tuesday night after his family reportedly paid his abductors P500,000 as “board and lodging” expenses.
Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., PNP Northern Mindanao director, said they immediately whisked Sung Ki Yoon after his captors released him about 10 p.m. in Saguiaran.
An official of the PNP Anti-kidnapping Task Force who asked not to be identified said Sung’s wife, Jung Hyoung Sook, paid the kidnappers P500,000 to release her husband.
Cruz has neither confirmed nor denied this report.
A report from the Army’s 1st Infantry Division said that Sung is a mining executive. The Cagayan de Oro-based Sung was reportedly in Iligan City last Jan. 19 for business, but decided to proceed to Marawi City after receiving a phone call.
Capt. Franco Salvador Suelto, 1ID information officer, said that Sung opted to go to Marawi despite the advice of his bodyguard not to proceed. Along the way, they were then met by three persons in Saguiaran, the town before Marawi, and forced Sung to transfer to another vehicle.
In the press conference at the PNP regional office in Camp Alagar here Wednesday afternoon, Sung has requested not to face the media because “he is very tired,” said South Korean Consul Yong Jeung Park.
Yong added that Sung’s kidnappers deprived him of sleep during his captivity. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews, with reports)