Korean trader planned own murder for insurance money – PNP

BY AARON RECUENCO

The murder of Korean businessman Nam Sunuk in Valenzuela City last month was aimed at collecting insurance payment for his life, the Philippine National Police (PNP) bared Tuesday.

The cadaver of 55-year-old Nam was discovered on February 15 inside his sports utility vehicle that was abandoned in a vacant lot fronting a cemetery at Purok 4, Area 6, G. Marcelo St. in Barangay Maysan in Valenzuela City. He was shot to death on the night of February 13 inside his car.

PNP chief Gen. Debold M. Sinas said that his men got a good lead when two of the suspects, Kimberly Radores and Rica Estrella, were bothered by their conscience and disclosed all the details they knew about the death of Nam during police interrogation.

During investigation, police probers found out that a policeman, Corporal Darwin Castillo, was also involved in Nam’s death.

Sinas said the three already gave their extra-judicial confession which resulted in the arrest of the other suspects identified as Rusty Cruz, Josephine Nape, Leana Nagaño, Bryan Gulfo and Bryan Escamillas.

“A case of murder was already filed against them. The individual participation of each of the suspects is enough to establish their culpability,” said Sinas.

Based on the investigation, Nam was shot dead allegedly by Gulfo and Escamillas also in Barangay Maysan. The car was then driven to the location where the car was later found. Castillo had been tailing the car of Nam during the entire execution of the plan.

“It was clearly established that the incident was a case of murder for insurance which according to the revelation of the two suspects was planned by the victim himself.

Sinas said the electronic mail sent by Nam to one of the suspects were retrieved and preserved, which then became the basis to establish that his death was his own plan.

Police would not say why Nam planned his own death but the result of the probe was already forwarded to the South Korean Embassy in Manila.