Korean tourist shot dead during robbery in Angeles City
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ANGELES CITY, Philippines — A Korean national was shot and killed in broad daylight during a robbery along the bustling Korean Town area in Barangay Anunas on Sunday afternoon, April 20.
Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. released a statement Monday, condemning the incident and directing local authorities to resolve the case within 72 hours.
He instructed acting city police director Col. Joselito Villarosa Jr. to “exhaust all means necessary to swiftly identify and apprehend the suspect.”
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Lazatin noted that the safety of both residents and local and foreign tourists remains a top priority for the city government.
According to initial police reports, the incident occurred at 1:50 p.m. along Fil-Am Friendship Highway, in front of a bank situated within the Korean Town area.
The victim, identified only by his surname Kim, was standing outside the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Friendship branch when two suspects on a Yamaha Nmax motorcycle approached.
The back rider reportedly attempted to snatch the victim’s bag. When Kim resisted, the assailant shot him in the torso before fleeing the scene with his accomplice. Kim was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
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Witnesses described the suspects as wearing jackets, pants, helmets, and reflectorized vests. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the area as part of their ongoing pursuit.
Kim, reportedly of legal age, had been staying at the nearby Prism Hotel at the time of the incident.
The Angeles City government noted that this was the first recorded fatal robbery incident involving a Korean national in recent memory.
However, a similar case occurred on Feb. 18, 2014, when another Korean tourist was gunned down by motorcycle-riding suspects in the same village.
That victim, accompanied by three others, was also en route to the Prism Hotel when she was shot multiple times.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as efforts intensify to bring the perpetrators to justice.
