THE five accused in the kidnap-for-ransom and slay of a Korean national more than 10 years ago was sentenced by a Manila court with reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment, while the known accessory was meted with a five-year jail sentence.
All the accused were charged with kidnapping for ransom and homicide of Ji Won Lee, a female Korean national, who was nabbed and subsequently killed on March 2014.
In a 21-page decision penned by Judge Benedict Medina of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 24 in Manila and promulgated last February 18, 2025, the court found “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” the accused Ronel Mongado y Seda, alias “Butiki,” ; Rowel Mongado y Seda, alias “Tata” ; Alex Buenaobra, alias “Allan Fallion” or “Pogi,” ; Jimmy Manlapaz y Gabatin; and Sergio Natad y Balog, alias “Daising.”
All accursed were also ordered to indemnify the victim’s family with P100,000 as civil indemnity, P100,000 for moral damages, and P100,000 as exemplary damages.
The court also emphasized that the accused will not be eligible for parole.
Meanwhile, Jullie -Ann Traboco y Tongga was convicted as an accessory to the crime and was sentenced to jail for five years up to eight years. She was likewise ordered to pay P12,500 each for civil indemnity, moral damages, and exemplary damages to the victim’s family.
Based on court records, the accused kidnapped the victim and asked for a P10-million ransom for her freedom, but this was eventually lowered to P3 million. The accused were given only P17,000, but the victim was killed while in detention.