INQUIRER file photo / ALEXIS CORPUZ
MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials implicated in the escape of a high-profile Korean fugitive were immediately terminated while criminal cases were also being prepared against them.
BI commissioner Joel Viado made this move after the bureau obtained CCTV footage showing that BI personnel facilitated the escape of Na Ikhyeon.
Na, who was wanted for fraud, managed to slip past his guards during his court hearing last March 4, with the aid of BI personnel.
“This footage is damning evidence,” Viado said in a statement.
“The movements and interactions caught on camera strongly indicate collusion,” he added.
Viado noted that the evidence gathered so far is strong enough to support criminal cases against those responsible.
“This is no longer just an internal disciplinary matter—this is a full-blown criminal case,” he said, adding that the Department of Justice is now taking over the case.
Viado said additional personnel suspected of involvement have now been placed on “preventive action”, while an internal audit of all high-risk deportation and detention cases continues.
He said this case will be a “turning point” for the BI.
“This is just the beginning. The days of corruption, illicit deals, and under-the-table transactions in the Bureau are numbered.