SOUTH Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon has been rearrested in Angeles City, Pampanga five days after he escaped while attending the hearing of one of his cases in a Quezon City court.
In a hastily-called press conference yesterday morning, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Na was apprehended through the joint efforts of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Fugitive Search Unit and Intelligence Division, Angeles City Police Station 4, the Regional Special Operations Unit of the Police Regional Office 3, the PNP-Intelligence Group, and the Naval Intelligence and Security Group Northern Luzon.
Viado said Na, 28, was hiding in a residential area in Barangay Pampang, Angeles City early morning yesterday.
Also apprehended was Kang Changbeom, his Korean accomplice.
“Investigation revealed that Kang aided Na’s escape, as supported by CCTV footage and other intelligence information gathered by authorities,” Viado said, although he did not provide additional details on how Kang helped Na escape last March 4.
Viado said information provided by the Korean National Police Agency also confirmed that Kang is wanted in South Korea for fraud.
Both Koreans will be detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
“Given their attempts, special heightened security arrangements will be put in place as both are now tagged as high-risk detainees with intent to escape,” the BI chief added.
Viado said two BI contractual employees have been terminated as CCTV footage showed them facilitating Na’s escape.
He said the BI had referred the case of another employee to the Department of Justice for the filing of cases since he is a regular employee.
But he added that last Friday, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered the termination of the third employee.
“The swift and decisive actions taken by the BI and the DOJ in this case demonstrate the unrelenting efforts of the agency to uphold justice and maintain the integrity of its operations,” Viado said.
While he did not identify the three, Viado assured the public they will face legal consequences
“There have been criminal complaints filed against the three. Aside from their termination, administrative and criminal cases have already been filed, Viado said.
The BI arrested Na on May 31, 2023 and was held in the BI’s detention facility while awaiting deportation.
However, his deportation to Seoul was deferred pending the resolution of an estafa case filed by a Filipina against him at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
“If an individual is charged with violation of immigration laws and is facing criminal charges, the immigration proceedings give way to the criminal proceedings; hence deportation does not proceed,” Viado explained.
The complaint by the owner of a small jewelry business said that Na consigned several pieces of jewelry as an agent but failed to remit the sales despite several demands.
Na attended a hearing related to the case on March 4 but was able to escape using the court’s restroom.
CCTV footage showed the three BI employees helped him escape.
The agency has been plagued by corruption issues in recent years, including a scheme where immigration officers would escort foreigners past passport screening at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for a fee.
