Police rescue South Korean kidnap victim in Ermita

January 22, 2020

Police on Tuesday rescued a South Korean kidnap victim in Ermita.

Police Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, director of the Anti-Kidnapping Group, said Kim Byeong Mo, 19, was rescued at at the Gotesco Towers B condominium along N. Concepcion street at around 6:10 p.m.

Arrested was Na Jin Suk, 36, who is facing kidnapping charges.

The operation stemmed from a complaint of the Korean police that Kim was being held since he arrived in the country last Jan 19.

Kim went to the country after the suspect hired him to work in a company based in Manila. But he became worried and phoned his mother in South Korea after realizing he is working for a firm engaged in “voice phishing” or telephone fraud.

The suspect detained Kim after the victim found out the company is engaged in illegal activities.

Estomo said they are trying to find out if other people are involved in Kim's kidnapping. DMS