South Korean held for raping, drugging compatriot

MANILA, Philippines — A South Korean man who allegedly raped and drugged his compatriot was arrested in Pasay City yesterday.

Kim Hyeongbin, 41, was apprehended by police as they rescued his victim at a high-end condominium at the corner of Pearl Drive and Macapagal Avenue at around 6:30 a.m., National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

Nartatez said the father of the victim, a 23-year-old woman visiting the country as a tourist, alerted the Korean embassy that she was being kept against her will by the suspect at a unit at the condominium complex, being sexually abused and forced to take illegal drugs.

The raiding team also recovered 36 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and cocaine with an estimated value of P239,000 and an improvised glass pipe from the unit.

Kim is facing charges of possession of illegal drugs and violation of Republic Act 11648, which provides stronger protection against rape, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Meanwhile, a man who was arrested for smoking vape in public is facing stiffer sanctions after he yielded 5.8 grams of shabu in Caloocan City yesterday.

The suspect, whom police identified as Dodong, was apprehended by policemen for vaping in public in Barangay 175 at around 2:30 a.m.

When policemen frisked him, a sachet of shabu valued at P39,440 was found in the suspect’s possession.