TO prevent a repetition of the kidnapping and killing Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo, Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa ordered the creation of police help desks in seven strategic areas to help Korean nationals residing in the country.
Dela Rosa said the PNP has already created seven police desks for Koreans in coordination with the Korean National Police Agency but three to seven more will be put up in Cebu, Boracay, Angeles City, Davao City, Subic and Baguio City.
“We are really shamed by this case. If something similar happens again, I don’t know what will happen to me. There will probably be no need for me to resign. The President will probably just say, “leave because nothing is happening,” Dela Rosa said after meeting with Koreans in Angeles City.
“I will do my best to ensure it will not happen again,” Dela Rosa said after meeting with Korean Ambassador Kim Jae-shin, Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan and other police officials, the report said.
Meanwhile, Pineda in recent talks with Dela Rosa vowed to hire more Korean language interpreters for the Korean community.
Dela Rosa assured the safety of South Koreans while in the country. There are about 20,000 Koreans in Pampanga province and 90,000 in the whole country.
“We give them reassurance, by all means, that they will be safe here in our country,” said Dela Rosa.
Jee was taken from his home in Angeles City by members of the PNP-Anti-Illegal Drugs Group in October on the pretext of drug charges and was brought to Camp Crame in Quezon City where he was supposedly killed by the policemen who brought him.
In a separate incident last year, three Koreans in the same subdivision as Jee were robbed by members of the Angeles City police.