jasdooit

Recent abductions and cases of unlawful detention involving Koreans in Cambodia initially took place frequently in the Philippines. The Philippines continues to be the Asian country where crimes against Koreans happen most often. In the past five years, over 3,000 Koreans have been victims of violent crimes in the Philippines.

Violent crimes targeting Koreans are increasing in the Philippines. In May, a Korean citizen who had gone to Nasugbu, a location roughly 90 kilometers southwest of Manila, for fishing was taken by armed individuals but eventually released. In March, a Korean man was fatally shot by thieves on a street in Manila. Between 2015 and the first half of last year, 38 Koreans were killed in the Philippines, making up 44% of the 86 Asia-Pacific nationals who lost their lives during that time frame. The number of Koreans robbed in the Philippines—102—was much greater compared to Chinese nationals (19) and Japanese nationals (3).

As per the Korea Tourism Organization, by August, Koreans made up 22.14% of foreign visitors to the Philippines, placing them at the top. Around 34,000 Koreans are also living in the Philippines. Local specialists mentioned, “The perception of Koreans traveling to the Philippines as affluent businesspeople or retirees who move to the country has led to them being seen as a ‘concentrated target’ for criminal activities.”

In 2012, the Korean police initially sent officers to the Philippines to create a ‘Korean Desk’ (a specialized police unit handling Korean-related crimes) in partnership with local authorities. The number of Korean Desk officers has now grown to three. As incidents targeting Koreans increased, the Philippine government introduced special crime-reporting windows for Korean-related cases in eight police stations located in areas with significant Korean populations, such as Manila and Angeles, in August. This was the first instance of the Philippine police establishing a dedicated unit for crimes involving citizens from a particular country. In May, the Philippine police also established a ‘Tourist Security Desk’ manned by officers who speak Korean to safeguard Korean residents and visitors.