Manhunt operations vs 2 South Korean fugitives who escaped detention launched

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has launched a nationwide manhunt operation against two South Korean fugitives who allegedly escaped from detention.

The subject of the manhunt were identified as 32-year-old Lee Jingyu and Yang Heejun, 44 years old.

Lee JingYu

Yan HeeJun

Immigration authorities said the fugitives allegedly escaped from the BI Warden’s Facility (BIWF) in Muntinlupa, where they were temporarily detained while their deportation cases were ongoing.

They also said that reports showed that during a routine inspection of the custodial force team, personnel discovered a rope tied at the rear portion of a ward gate at the BIWF.

A subsequent headcount and inspection of all wards revealed that Lee and Yang were unaccounted for. This prompted security personnel to immediately place the facility in total lockdown, while a thorough search of all the perimeter sections was conducted.

“We have sought the assistance of the Bureau of Corrections, where the BIWF is located, and the National Bureau of Investigation so we may be able to trace areas where the duo could have taken,” said BI Commissioner Joel Viado.

“We will not stop until they have been located so they can be made to face their crimes,” said Viado.

Lee, who was wanted in his country for drug smuggling, was arrested on November 17, 2025 in Pasay City for allegedly orchestrating the trafficking of approximately three kilograms of shabu through multiple incidents in early 2024 in the Philippines. He also has prior criminal convictions, including aggravated assault and was charged by the BI for being an undesirable and overstaying alien.

Yang, meanwhile, was nabbed in Angeles City, Pampanga in 2022. He is wanted in his country for burglary, theft, and related offenses, and is likewise the subject of an Interpol Red Notice.

He has a deportation case for being an undesirable and undocumented alien and was detained at the BIWF pending the completion of legal proceedings. Yang was also earlier implicated in an attempted drug smuggling incident inside the detention facility in 2022.

Viado called on the public to report sightings of the duo via the BI hotline at +633 8 465 2400 or via Facebook messenger: facebook.com/officialbureauofimmigration. — Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA Integrated News