Safety of Koreans in Pampanga assured
CLARK FREEPORT – The Provincial Government led by Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan assured the safety and security of the thousands of Korean nationals in the province and in Angeles City.
This was announced by the governor and the Chief PNP in front of Korean Ambassador Kim Jae-Shin and hundreds of Koreans who attended the Consultative Meeting Among LGUs, PNP and Korean Leaders: Ensuring Safety of Communities on Wednesday, here.
In her speech, the governor said she signed an Executive Order 02-2017 which creates Korean Assistance Office of Pampanga (KAOP) to be chaired by Vice-Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda.
The governor said KAOP was established to address the concerns and needs of the Korean community based in the province with all of the efforts the provincial government can offer.
The Executive Order read by Board Member Rosve Henson, concurrent chair of the Committee on Public Order and Security, stipulates that it is also aimed to further intensify the security and safety of the Korean nationals here in the province.
Henson also said that the said foreigners are more vulnerable to threats of safety and that the service of the government must be readily available to address the said concern, thus the creation of the said office.
The Office of the Provincial Administrator will serve as the Secretariat of KAOP to address all the concern of Koreans and to give responses as approved by KAOP.
Vice-Governor Pineda also suggested the addition of Korean language translator to further address the Korean nationals and their concerns.
The KAOP will be chaired by Vice-Governor Delta and vice-chaired by Provincial Administrator Attorney Andres S. Pangilinan, Jr. Other members of the office will be Cecil Andin, provincial legal officer; Angie Blanco, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer; Arwin Paul Lingat, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Officer; Engineer Olimpio Pangan, General Services Officer; and Engr. Romeo Dizon, Provincial Assessor.
This came after the abduction and killing of Jee Ick-Joo last year involving some members of the police force.
Governor Pineda also said she condemned in the strongest possible term the crime done to Mr. Jee albeit his efforts in job creation for the Filipinos here in the country with his businesses.
“I hope the tragic incident will not tarnish the friendly and good relationship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea,” she said.
Governor Pineda said that the Republic of Korea caters to about 30,000 Kapampangans and had given them jobs, that is why she believed she has to repay them by providing their security and safety during their stay in the province.
She also added that the Philippines and South Korea have been long time partners trained by bilateral relationships in the areas of humanitarian responses during disasters, education, trade, and in many aspects.
“We are reaffirming the strong relationship and partnership of the Kapampangans and Koreans living in the province and assuring their safety like what they are doing to more than 12,000 Kapampangans who are now working in South Korea,” the governor added.
Ambassador Kim expressed his concern with the crime situation in the country. He said that the 20,000 Koreans living in the province are worrying about their safety that is why they initiated the meeting in coordination with the provincial government and the police. He added that even the Koreans in their home country are worried about the safety of their relatives here. He also added that worldwide, around 20 Koreans are killed annually, and that 40 to 50 percent of them occur here in the Philippines.
“But even more unfortunately, around half of the killings in the Philippines occurred in Pampanga, and as you [officials] expressed, we will strive hard to minimize the occurrence again,” Kim said.
He also suggested that the government must develop a better system to ensure the safety of his compatriots based in the country, especially in the province.
— Philip Ocampo/ Pampanga PIO