Korean murder suspect arrested in Pampanga airport

A South Korean national who is wanted for murder abroad is currently detained at the immigration jail in Bicutan, Taguig, after he was arrested in Pampanga early this month. Ree Gun Jo was arrested during the primary inspection at the immigration counter of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga last August 11, an Immigration official said Sunday. Ronaldo Ledesma, officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), said Ree has been on the bureau’s blacklist since Nov. 11, 2006 upon request of the South Korean embassy police attaché in Manila. The South Korean embassy reported that Ree is wanted for murdering a certain Young Wook Bae in Macau on Nov. 3, 2006. Also blacklisted were three other South Koreans who allegedly conspired with Ree in the killing. Ledesma has ordered immigration officers in airports to tighten screening procedures of all incoming passengers after the South Korean embassy received reports that Ree’s co-accused are planning to hide in the Philippines. Ree will be detained pending issuance of the order for his summary deportation by the BI’s board of commissioners. - KBK, GMANews.TV