BI chief fires staff over South Korean fugitive’s escape

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado has ordered the immediate dismissal of personnel allegedly involved in the escape of a high-profile South Korean fugitive in Quezon City.

Viado said criminal complaints have been filed against the implicated BI staff before the Department of Justice (DOJ) after CCTV footage and testimonies suggested possible collusion.

“This footage is damning evidence—hindi ito simpleng kapabayaan. The movements and interactions caught on camera strongly indicate collusion,” he said. 

(This is not mere negligence.)

He added that additional testimonial evidence further strengthens the case against those involved.

CCTV footage allegedly showed BI officers aiding the escape of Na Ikhyeon after he attended a hearing for an estafa case at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on March 4.

Na is wanted in South Korea for fraud, luring victims into investing in non-existent accounts before withdrawing the funds for personal gain.

The 28-year-old fugitive was arrested in May 2023, but his deportation was delayed due to the estafa case filed against him by a Filipina. During his March 4 hearing, he escaped through the court restroom, prompting a manhunt.

“This is no longer just an internal disciplinary matter—this is a full-blown criminal case,” Viado stressed. “The DOJ will take over, and we will ensure that those who betrayed public trust are held accountable”. 

Viado also placed other immigration personnel suspected of involvement under preventive suspension and said the BI was coordinating with the DOJ to expedite legal action.

“This is just the beginning. The days of corruption, illicit deals, and under-the-table transactions in the Bureau are numbered,” he warned.

Earlier, Viado vowed that “heads will roll” in the BI following Na’s escape. — DVM, GMA Integrated News