Korean fugitive rearrested

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced on Sunday morning that South Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon had been successfully rearrested, five days after he escaped during a case hearing at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on 4 March.

In a joint effort, the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit and Intelligence Division collaborated with the City Intelligence Unit, Police Station 4 Angeles, the Regional Special Operations Unit PRO 3, the PNP-Intelligence Group, and the Naval Intelligence and Security Group Northern Luzon to capture Na.

On Sunday morning, Na was found hiding in a residential area in Barangay Pampang, Angeles City, Pampanga.

Authorities also arrested Kang Changbeom, Na’s associate, during the raid. Investigations, including CCTV footage and intelligence gathered by authorities, indicated that Kang played a role in helping Na escape. According to the Korean National Police Agency, Kang is also a wanted fugitive in South Korea for fraud.

Additionally, the BI provided an update on the three employees implicated in helping Na escape, as revealed by CCTV footage. As a result, two contractual employees were immediately terminated, while the case of the permanent employee was referred to the Department of Justice (DoJ). DoJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that the third employee was fired on Friday.

The swift and decisive actions of the BI and DoJ highlight the agency’s commitment to upholding justice and maintaining the integrity of its operations.

The two Korean fugitives will be transferred to the BI Warden Facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Given their attempted escape, both have been classified as high-risk detainees, and additional security measures will be implemented to ensure their safe and secure detention.