9 South Koreans held over illegal detention

The police arrested nine Korean nationals in Cebu City on charges of illegal detention, with additional complaints of illegal online gambling, authorities said on Friday. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), five of the suspects are the subjects of Interpol Red Notices, underscoring the international scope of the case. “The apprehension of these nine foreign nationals—five with Interpol Red Notices—sends a clear message that no one is above the law,” acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement. The arrests stemmed from a complaint filed on Aug. 8, when an employee alleged he had been illegally detained and denied his salary for nearly two months. The PNP’s Regional Special Project Unit 7 later executed warrants of arrest issued by Cebu Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Judge James Stewart Ramon Himalaloan on Sept. 23. Police said some of the suspects were ordered held without bail, while others were allowed release on P120,000 bond each. On Oct. 2, a separate complaint was filed against the same group for alleged illegal online gambling, in violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act and Presidential Decree No. 1602 on illegal gambling. As of Friday, five suspects were being held at the PNP’s Regional Special Project Unit 7 custodial facility, while four others remained under the custody of the Cebu City Police. PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño urged the public to continue reporting suspicious activities, saying active community participation plays a key role in crime prevention. —GABRYELLE DUMALAG