Korean fugitive escapes jail for third time

MANILA, Philippines - A South Korean fugitive, detained at the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) compound at Camp Aguinaldo, escaped last week, sources said yesterday.

Cho Seongdae, 49, also known as Lee Doyeon, disappeared from the ISAFP jail while he was being watched by Bureau of Immigration (BI) guards.

This is Cho’s third escape from government custody. His latest escape triggered a scramble among AFP sentries, who checked all vehicles going out of the military camp.

While in hiding in the Philippines, Cho was arrested on Sept. 11, 2012 but was immediately taken to a private hospital after complaining of breathing difficulties. He subsequently escaped, sources said.

He was recaptured in Parañaque City two weeks later and brought to the BI detention facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

He escaped on Sept. 29 this year – reportedly after bribing his guards P1 million – but was recaptured in Angeles City, Pampanga on Oct. 12. 

Following Cho’s recapture, the BI coordinated with ISAFP officials to have him detained at its facility, purported to be highly secure.

Cho’s escape was discovered on the morning of Oct. 21 and was only confirmed by Camp Aguinaldo sources yesterday.

The sources said one of the BI guards, when frisked by ISAFP agents, yielded P100,000 cash. 

Cho faces a $23,500 extortion charge in South Korea and robbery extortion charges in Cavite filed by his countrymen.