KOREAN SHOT DEAD
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – A Korean national was found dead in a remote farm in this city Monday morning (April 19), authorities reported to the media.
Lieutenant Rodel Ventura, deputy chief of GenSan police station 3 identified the dead body as Businessman Hyun Seong-hong, a resident of Barangay Labangal, this city, for many years.
Police investigators immediately responded to the crime scene after residents reported the lifeless body of the Korean national inside his white Suzuki Sedan vehicle bearing plate NAO 1882. It was reportedly parked in Purok Masagana in Barangay Baluan beside a grassy area planted with coconuts.
Investigators said the crime scene was approximately 1 kilometer from the main highway and also 30 meters from Barangay Lagao, also in this city.
The investigation disclosed that the Korean was shot as he sustained two gunshot wounds. They also found shells of .45 caliber pistol inside the Korean’s vehicle, showing that he was shot inside his car. Police also found a plastic bottle and gasoline. Investigators theorized the suspects may have planned to burn the dead body and the vehicle but did not pursue their plan.
Ventura said, “It appeared that the suspects tried to burn the vehicle based on the marks found on the driver’s seat, adding that Hyun was involved with a construction firm that is bidding on some local projects.” The police also reported to the media that Hyun was arrested for drugs five years ago, which might also trigger his untimely demise.
A blotter report said the city’s criminal investigation department is still verifying information the Korean was using an American passport.
Meanwhile, Major Yol Hilado of City Police Station 3 also told reporters that the Korean was also reportedly involved in a lending business, according to some documents gathered by the investigating team inside his car.
In January 2016, the Korean was arrested inside a local hotel by the operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 12 for alleged possession of illegal drugs. The raiding team recovered suspected shabu amounting to P75,000 and other drug paraphernalia.
The investigation also disclosed the Korean victim was married to a Filipina who owns a restaurant business in the city.
