Na Ikhyeon testifies on escape with BI, police help

During a Senate Subcommittee on Justice and Human Rights hearing on Tuesday, South Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon testified via video conference that he received assistance from two Filipinos named 'Paul' and 'Raul', as well as the involvement of three Bureau of Immigration (BI) employees to escape.

Na claimed he paid P6 million to these individuals in November 2023 for help moving him to San Fernando, Pampanga. He also alleged that Paul identified himself as a high-ranking BI officer and Raul introduced himself as a police officer during their direct conversation.

CCTV footage showed Na entering the Pegasus Club and then leaving with a white van before being rearrested in Barangay Pampang, Angeles City on March 9. The BI has already terminated and filed charges against three personnel allegedly involved in helping Na escape during his hearing on March 4.

Na told the committee that it was his third attempt to facilitate his escape; previously he paid a fellow South Korean P8 million in June 2023 but failed to escape, while his second attempt in November 2023 also failed.