Manila court convicts six in 2014 kidnap-slay of Korean student

A Manila court convicted six individuals for the kidnapping and killing of Korean student Lee Ji Won in March 2014, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Monday.

In a 21-page decision, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 47 found Ronel Mongado, Rowel Mongado, Alex Buenaobra, Jimmy Manlapaz, and Sergio Natad guilty beyond reasonable doubt for kidnapping for ransom with homicide.

They were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, a prison sentence of 20 years and one day to 40 years, without eligibility for parole. 

The RTC also ordered them to pay Lee’s heirs P100,000 in civil indemnity, P100,000 in moral damages, and P100,000 in exemplary damages.

“There is no dispute that all accused are private persons and they illegally kidnapped and deprived the victim, Ji Won Lee, of her liberty for purposes of extorting ransom and thereafter was killed during detention,” the court said.

According to the court, Lee’s brother testified that he accompanied his sister in front of the lobby of the condominium where they were staying and flagged down a taxi for her on March 3, 2014.

He was able to identify the license plate number of the taxi and its driver. His testimony was corroborated by a state witness, who was previously part of the accused's group.

The state witness positively identified the five accused. 

He also testified that Buenaobra asked that his house serve as the hiding place for the victim after she was abducted. He agreed to the request in exchange for P1 million.

Aside from this, he said Buenaobra was the one who ordered the victim to be killed.

Meanwhile, the court found Jullie-Ann Traboco, who guarded Lee while she was in captivity, guilty as an accessory to the crime and sentenced her to five years to eight years in prison.

She was also directed to pay Lee’s heirs P12,500 each for civil indemnity, moral, and exemplary damages.

The Court said that all the amounts awarded shall earn a legal interest of 6% per annum from the date of the finality of the decision.

The decision was promulgated on February 18, 2025. — RF, GMA Integrated News