Malacañang on Monday said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed government agencies to swiftly investigate the escape of a South Korean fugitive who was later on recaptured by agents of the Bureau of Immigration.
“The President does not let anomalies like this slide. He has consistently directed agency heads to conduct prompt investigations and address issues immediately,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a press briefing.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado has dismissed three BI personnel and has launched an inquiry into the possible involvement of other BI personnel.
“According to their investigation, there were individuals within the Bureau of Immigration involved in this case. The two officials directly implicated—along with possible other accomplices still under investigation—were swiftly removed from their positions,” Castro said.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed charges against the suspects under Article 223 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes public officers who consent to or facilitate an escape.
Additionally, administrative cases are being prepared against those involved.
The case has reignited concerns over corruption within the BI, particularly following other high-profile escapes, including that of former mayor Alice Guo.
Meanwhile, Immigration agents arrested two South Korean fugitives being sought by Korean and Interpol authorities for robbery and illegal gambling.
Immigration Commissioner Viado said that the two foreigners were nabbed in separate operations carried out by the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in Cebu and Parañaque city.
Viado said that both Koreans, who are subjects of red notices issued by Interpol, were apprehended at the request of the South Korean government, which sought the Bureau’s help in locating and deporting the fugitives.
Arrested were Sim Sooryong, who was cornered in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City and has an arrest warrant issued by the Changwon District Court for his involvement in a robbery where he allegedly attacked a victim with an axe, inflicting injuries to the head and other areas of the body.
Sim reportedly coerced his victim into transferring 25 million won to his bank account.
On the other hand, Kim Kwanghyun, was apprehended along Dr. A. Santos Avenue in San Dionisio, Parañaque City. He is wanted for establishing illegal online gambling operations.
He is also accused of running multiple online gambling sites since 2015, through which he allegedly generated over 16 billion won from sports betting tickets sold online.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos orders probe into BI officials over Korean fugitive’s escape.”