GET FUGITIVE KOREAN, BI PRODDED
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) should take all the efforts to recapture the South Korean detainee who escaped after allegedly offering a P30-million cash bribe to his custodial officers.
This is according to House Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan as he pointed out that allowing a fugitive to remain at large undermines the country’s justice system.
“The BI must act swiftly to bring him back into custody. His recapture will reduce the risk of additional harm,” he added,” Libanan said in a statement.
He stressed that the immediate recapture of South Korean national Na Ikhyeon would also deter other BI detainees from attempting to escape.
“The public expects authorities to maintain order. Recapturing the fugitive will reassure people that law enforcement remains in control,” Libanan said.
Libanan also expressed concern over the alleged bribe, warning that if true, the fugitive could commit further crimes while on the run.
A lawyer by profession, Libanan served as BI commissioner under the Arroyo administration and formerly chaired the House committee on justice.
Na, 28, escaped on March 4 after attending a hearing on an estafa complaint filed against him before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
He was under the custody of three immigration officers when he vanished after requesting to use the restroom.
Authorities are also investigating Na’s lawyer for alleged connivance in what appears to have been a pre-planned escape.
The lawyer allegedly distracted Na’s custodial officers, enabling his getaway.
Na is wanted in South Korea for alleged investment fraud.
He was arrested in May 2023 at Clark International Airport, but a criminal complaint filed by a Filipino woman in Quezon City delayed his deportation.
The woman accused Na of stealing jewelry from her while working as her agent.
BI commissioner Joel Viado ordered administrative and criminal charges to be filed against the immigration officer who led Na’s custodial unit and directed the termination of the unit’s two contractual employees.
