BI dismisses 2 escorts, driver for fugitive's escape

Two Bureau of Immigration (BI) escorts and a driver have been dismissed following the escape of South Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon on Tuesday, March 4.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado ordered the immediate dismissal, citing CCTV footage and testimonies that "strongly indicate collusion" and "corroborated suspicions of internal involvement."

Viado emphasized that he would not tolerate "negligence, corruption, or collusion within our ranks" and stated, "This is a turning point for the bureau. Hindi na puede yun nakagawian ng kalokohan (The shenanigans of the past will no longer be tolerated)."

Three additional BI personnel are facing potential charges, and around six personnel are suspected of involvement and have been placed on preventive action.

The BI spokesperson, Dana Sandoval, noted that the footage contradicts the initial report that Na Ikhyeon simply ran away after a hearing.

Na Ikhyeon, 28, is wanted in South Korea for fraud and was in the Philippines to face an estafa case filed against him by a Filipina.

Viado initiated an internal audit of all staff assigned to high-risk deportation and detention cases to prevent future breaches.

Commissioner Viado emphasized that this is a full-blown criminal case that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will handle to ensure accountability for those who betrayed public trust.