5 men get life for 2014 kidnapping, killing of South Korean national

A Manila court has sentenced five men to life in prison for the kidnapping and killing of South Korean national Lee Ji Won in 2014.

Ronel Mongado, Rowel Mongado, Alex Buenaobra, Jimmy Manlapaz, and Sergio Natad were convicted of kidnapping for ransom and homicide by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24.

The five are not eligible for parole, according to the Department of Justice.

Another defendant, Julie Ann Traboco, was sentenced to five to 11 years as an accessory to the kidnapping.

Defendant Rene Natad was reportedly killed in an encounter, but the court noted the absence of any supporting documents regarding his death.

Another suspect, an alias "Paks," is at large.

Lee was kidnapped on March 3, 2014, last seen boarding a white taxi cab from Burgundy Transpacific Place along Taft Avenue.

Her brother received a call from Lee that night, followed by a male voice demanding ransom, prompting him to seek assistance from the South Korean embassy and the Philippine National Police.