The Bureau of Immigration has turned over to the Department of Justice the case of South Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon who escaped custody allegedly with the help of Immigration employees.

Na, who is wanted for fraud in his home country, was later re-arrested together with his companion Kang Changbeom in a residential area in Barangay Pampang in Angeles City, Pampanga. 

BI details how Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon managed to escape custody 

Three Immigration employees, who allegedly aided Na's escape, have been terminated from the service. They are facing administrative and criminal charges.

"Kung titignan po natin talagang nakakagimbal ang pangyayari pero basically ganoon talaga at nagkaroon ng masusing pag-iimbestiga," Immigration deputy spokesperson Melvin Mabulac said in an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo on Saturday.

Mabulac said the erring Immigration employees claimed the Korean merely escaped their custody.

"Hindi naman tayo basta basta maniniwala agad kung anong sinabi nila. Nagconduct tayo ng tracking investigation sa CCTV at nakita nating talagang hindi naman nakatakas at nakitang pinatakas nila," he said.

"Kasabay nilang umalis mula sa opisina ng prosecutor tapos pag alis wala pang handcuffs ang kanyang mga kamay. At nakita natin yung pagsakay ng ibang van na ginawang getaway car niya."

BI finds, arrests South Korean fugitive who slipped out during hearing

Na was apprehended through concerted efforts of several government agencies.

There were reports that Na's escape involved a P30-million bribe.

"Hindi pa natin alam kung magkano talaga ano, kasi hindi tayo basta naniniwala kung walang nangyaring monetary consideration. Isa yan sa inendorse natin sa DOJ," said Mabulac.

"Matibay po ang pinaghahawakang ebidensya di lang para sa administrative case pati na criminal case," he added. "Importante ito sa imahen ng ating bureau at the same time tuloy tuloy na paglilinis sa ating opisina."

Na is wanted in South Korea for his alleged involvement in deceptive investments and misleading his fellow Koreans by directing them to invest in non-existent accounts.

He was arrested in May 2023 but his deportation had been deferred pending the resolution of an estafa case against him at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. Na slipped BI custody during a hearing last week.