Korean community slams special treatment of detainee

A KOREAN community in Central Luzon is questioning the alleged special treatment given by the Philippine government to a detained Korean.

The group said the detained Korean is illegally using a mobile phone inside the detention center to contact his cohorts outside.

The Korean, Kwan Park Jung, was placed on the wanted list in Cebu in 2015 and was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigations in 2017.

"According to individuals familiar with him, Jung has been claiming that he will soon be released through lobbying efforts within the Bureau of Immigration," the statement of the group said.

The group also said that this is a "blatant act of disrespect toward the Philippine justice system."

"If a blacklisted individual like Mr. Jung is released due to corruption or bribery, it would undermine public trust in the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the country's legal institutions," the statement added.

The group has urged Philippine authorities to take this matter seriously. It said that the BI and all relevant government agencies must closely monitor this case and ensure that the law is applied fairly and firmly.

Jung is being charged for attempting to seize control of a company named Tera in Cebu by forging documents such as the Securities and Exchange Commission registration and General Information Sheet.

On Aug. 10, 2018, Jung and his brother, Ho Park Jung, hired around 30 armed men in an attempt to forcibly take over a resort in Mactan. This led to a violent shoot-out, injuring two individuals.

Ho Park was arrested following the incident and later deported to South Korea.

However, Kwan Park remained in the country.

On Aug. 2, 2024, he was arrested by the BI for overstaying, being on the immigration blacklist and having an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the Cebu court.

He is currently detained at the BI Bicutan Detention Center, where he allegedly receives special treatment for a detainee.