In an effort to narrow legal gaps that let foreign fugitives avoid deportation, on Monday afternoon, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is appealing to lawmakers to revise current legislation.

In response to the recent rearrest of South Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon in Angeles City, Pampanga, BI Commissioner Atty. Joel Viado made an appeal.

Recently, BI authorities discovered legal strategies used by certain lawyers to delay deportation procedures, allowing fugitives to stay in the country for longer than necessary.

“By bringing charges against their own fugitive clients and claiming that they must stay in the Philippines because of ongoing legal cases, some attorneys have been abusing the system,” Viado revealed.

“If this issue is not resolved, every fugitive will use this strategy to avoid deportation or capture. What will happen to us?” Viado explained.

He further stressed that many of these fugitives are wealthy, well-connected, and capable of hiring top legal experts who know how to navigate around the country’s immigration laws. Let’s admit, those fugitives are not ordinary criminals. They have deep pockets, powerful backers and legal teams who understand how to exploit every possible loophole in their system.

Viado also admitted that, under the current legal framework, the BI’s ability to act is sometimes limited. If there is an option for them to take advantage of a legal loophole, then they cannot do anything legally because their hands are tied. That’s why they are seeking help from our lawmakers to permanently fix the loopholes in this law.