Korean tourist stabbed in mugging in Philippines

A Korean man in his 40s survived a stabbing by robbers on motorcycles during a mugging in Angeles City on Friday.

Police officers investigate a crime scene in Manlia, the Philippines in 2017. [EPA/YONHAP]

A Korean tourist was stabbed by two robbers on motorcycles in the Philippines on Friday.

According to the Korean Embassy in the Philippines on Saturday, two robbers stabbed the tourist in his 40s with a weapon on a street near Korea Town in Angeles City on the island of Luzon at around 2 a.m.

The victim received treatment for his non-life-threatening injury at a nearby hospital. He is reportedly planning to return to Korea.

“The tourist was mugged on his way back to his hotel,” an embassy official said, noting that the mission is “cooperating with local police to arrest the suspects.”

Although the city is a well-known tourist destination, there has been a slew of major violent and theft crimes targeting Koreans.

In May, another Korean man in his 60s died 10 days after being severely injured while being pickpocketed in the city.

Last November, a pair of robbers stabbed a Korean man in his 50s with a weapon in the downtown area of the city and took his wallet. The victim had to be rushed to the hospital and received surgery to stitch up his wound, which could have been critical.

Two months before that, an armed robber with a gun threatened workers and customers at a Korean diner in the city and fled after stealing valuables.

In 2016, a Korean entrepreneur, Jee Ick-joo, was murdered after being kidnapped by local police in his home in the city.

The local appellate court sentenced police superintendent Rafael Dumlao, his subordinate officer Santa Isabel and former National Bureau of Investigation agent Jerry Omlang to life in prison in June.

In the wake of such crimes, the embassy issued a safety alert last November and warned Korean visitors and residents in the city to be cautious of violent crimes, and asked them to avoid going outside at night or using alleyways.

The embassy suggested that people use Grab — a ride-hailing service widely used in Southeast Asian countries — instead of walking around. It further instructed people not to resist or fight offenders carrying weapons as it can lead to deadly injuries.

It also asked people not to store large amounts of cash in their offices or residences and to pay extra attention to their surroundings or people nearby while using automated teller machines.

The embassy also advised Koreans “to maintain amicable relationships with local drivers, domestic helpers and employees and not to make Filipinos develop grudges against them.”

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]