Senate subcommittee to probe BI officials over Na Ikhyeon escape

Senator Risa Hontiveros announced Monday that the Senate justice and human rights subcommittee will investigate BI officials for their alleged role in the escape of high-profile South Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon.

CCTV footage confirmed that Na was deliberately assisted by BI personnel during his escape after attending a hearing at the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office on March 4, with two additional Korean fugitives also escaping custody and being rearrested on Sunday.

BI Commissioner Joel Viado dismissed several personnel involved, including two contractual employees who were terminated and an administrative employee facing charges, while Hontiveros emphasized the seriousness of the situation.

The senator vowed to pursue the matter at a sub-committee hearing and called for strict penalties against those responsible under Article 223 of the Revised Penal Code, adding that she will seek a subpoena on the CCTV footage.

Hontiveros criticized the BI's inability to prevent such incidents, highlighting that Na offered P30 million in cash to the three personnel involved in his escape and warned that unless the BI addresses these issues thoroughly, the country will continue to face challenges with foreign criminals escaping justice.