South Korean Investigators Found Key Evidence On The Murder Of A Korean Citizen In The Philippines
South Korean investigators sent by the National Police Agency (NPA) to the Philippines to probe on the murder of a Korean man in the country found key evidence during the five-day investigation.
Korea Joongang Daily reported Tuesday that this is the first time that the Korean authorities have sent investigators overseas to participate in a joint investigation of an incident. According to reports, four investigators were dispatched in the Philippines on Monday to investigate the death of a Korean citizen, surnamed Cho.
Cho, a businessman, was shot and killed by a group of unidentified men in his own house in Batangas on Sunday, making him the 11th Korean national killed in the Philippines in 2015 alone.
"This can strictly be defined as our collaborating in an investigation led by the local police," Commissioner General Kang Shin Myeong said. "This is not an independent, direct investigation by Korean investigators."
On Friday, the investigators revealed they have found key evidence and clues in tracking down the suspects in the murder case. According to Korea Times Friday, investigators believe that the incident was executed by robbers.
Further reports have revealed that pieces of evidence such as live ammunition for a 22-caliber rifle and a cartridge case for a 45-caliber pistol were found by the Korean investigators in the crime scene.
Aside from that, the authorities have also identified the owner of a white SUV that was reportedly used during the crime. The Korean police have already submitted the information to the Philippine police who are currently tracking down the owner of the vehicle.
On the other hand, the Korean police have reconstructed a story of the incident after conducting several interviews. It says that the four unidentified men in masks were armed with guns and rifles. One of them reportedly suppressed Cho in bed and tied both his hands.
The suspects allegedly took 10,000 pesos (250,000 won) and some appliances from the victim. According to reports, Cho's girlfriend, son and housemaid were also in the house when the incident took place.
Police authorities vowed to expand the investigation to determine whether the incident was a contract murder or a robbery.
