Push Admin

Duterte warns 'Korean mafia' in the Philippines

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

President Rodrigo Duterte has warned a supposed South Korean mafia that they will be killed by Philippine security forces &quot;just like an ordinary Filipino criminal&quot; if they continue their illegal activities. Quoting intelligence reports, Duterte claimed that a South Korean mafia, based in Cebu City, is into prostitution, illegal drugs, and kidnapping. &quot;For those into the racket [business] of prostitution, drugs and everything, kidnapping, you will be treated as just an ordinary criminal, just like a Filipino,&quot; Duterte told reporters in a chance interview in Davao City late Saturday. &quot;You don&#x27;t enjoy special privileges just because you&#x27;re a foreigner,&quot; Duterte added. Duterte made the call after reports claimed a Korean mafia may be behind the slay of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, whose death led to a halt in the anti-drug operations of the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the military have since been tapped to continue Duterte&#x27;s war on drugs. Duterte, however, was careful not to draw the ire of the South Korean government, as he emphasized Philippines&#x27; long-running friendship with the northeast Asian nation. &quot;I&#x27;m not condemning all Koreans. They&#x27;re always welcome here. Korea is our friend. It has helped us in so many ways. I will not want to pick a quarrel just like [with] India,&quot; Duterte said, referring to his stand against Indians engaged in the 5-6 lending business. Duterte also assured the safety of South Korean students who travel to the Philippines to study English. &quot;They are welcome to invest. There are so many South Korean students, we will protect them. That&#x27;s our duty,&quot; Duterte said. &quot;To law-abiding Koreans, you will be protected, treated equally as Filipinos,&quot; he added. South Korea is one of the country&#x27;s top trading partners. At least 1 million South Korean tourists visit the Philippines every year.

President Rodrigo Duterte has warned a supposed South Korean mafia that they will be killed by Philippine security forces "just like an ordinary Filipino criminal" if they continue their illegal activities.

President Rodrigo Duterte has warned a supposed South Korean mafia that they will be killed by Philippine security forces "just like an ordinary Filipino criminal" if they continue their illegal activities.