3 BI personnel charged for fugitive's escape

Three Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel have been charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly aiding the escape of a South Korean fugitive.

The charged personnel include a permanent employee and two contractual employees from the BI's Warden Facility in Taguig City.

They face charges of conniving or consenting to evasion under Article 223 of the Revised Penal Code.

The two contractual employees have been immediately terminated from service.

A recommendation has been submitted to the DOJ to initiate an administrative case against the permanent employee.

The fugitive, South Korean Na Ikhyeon, was arrested in 2023 and was being escorted to a hearing at the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office on March 4.

The BI personnel initially claimed the detainee escaped after asking to use the restroom, a story contradicted by CCTV footage showing them leaving with the fugitive in an official BI van.

Further footage indicated the detainee getting into another van, suggesting a facilitated escape.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval described the security provided to the fugitive as 'very loose.'