BI recaptures escaped S. Korean fugitive, cohort
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recaptured a South Korean fugitive on Sunday, days after he escaped custody during a court hearing with the help of three immigration personnel.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said in a press briefing that Na Ik-hyeon, who is wanted in South Korea for fraud, was found hiding in a residential area in Angeles City, Pampanga, five days after his escape on March 4.
Na was rearrested alongside his South Korean cohort, Kang Chang-beom, who allegedly facilitated his escape.
The operation was led by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit and Intelligence Division, in coordination 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.
Na was first arrested on May 31, 2023, at Clark International Airport after presenting a fake Philippine passport.
Fraud raps pending
Dana Sandoval, spokesperson for the BI, said Na faces two counts of fraud in South Korea, involving large sums of money that he allegedly received from his victims.
“It appears to be a fraudulent investment scheme where they convinced victims to invest, only to withdraw the money afterward,” Sandoval said in the same briefing.
On the day of his escape, Na was attending a preliminary investigation at the Office of the Quezon City Prosecutor for an estafa case.
Viado said Kang, whom Na referred to as a “brother,” arranged the vehicle and other accommodations for his stay.
Meanwhile, the two contractual BI staff implicated in the escape were immediately terminated, while a permanent employee was dismissed by the Department of Justice.
