‘No worries, Koreans are safe here’

Bong Hwan Cho, (right) president of the Cebu Korean Association, and Director Benjamin B. Magalong, chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, exchange business cards after signing a memorandum of agreement where they vowed to help each other on cases involving Koreans. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

The regional unit of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Korean community in Cebu agreed to work hand in hand in cases involving Koreans.

The CIDG and the Cebu Korean Association (CFA) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) where both parties expressed commitment to promote peace.

“The parties intend to bind themselves into an agreement with a common goal of establishing partnership and mutual cooperation to promote peace and order and to fight criminality in accordance with the law and to undertake activities within the area of jurisdiction of the CIDG,” a provision in the agreement said.

CIDG Director Benjamin Magalong gave assurances that the estimated 30,000 Koreans residing in Central Visayas are safe.

There have been several crimes involving Koreans that have happened in Central Visayas such as the killing of two Koreans whose bodies were found charred in a car in Danao City last year. Their compatriots were allegedly involved in the crime.

In his speech during the MOA signing, Magalong said the CIDG are committed to take action or respond to any incident involving Koreans.

Magalong expressed concern over a syndicated Korean crime group which victimizes fellow Koreans.

Magalong said the CIDG is planning to establish help desks for Koreans in Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and the four big districts in Manila. Cordova Vice Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho attended the affair held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino yesterday morning.

“They are investing in our tourism industry,” said Cho, whose husband Bong Hwan Cho is the president of CFA.

The CFA president assured that they would police their own ranks.