2 Korean fugitives escape BI facility

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration launched a nationwide manhunt for two South Korean fugitives following their escape from the BI warden facility in Muntinlupa at noon on New Year’s Day. In a statement, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Lee Jingyu, 32, and Yang Heejun, 44, are both facing deportation cases and subjects of Interpol red notices.

Viado said the BI has sought the help of other law enforcement agencies in tracking and arresting the two.

“We have sought the assistance of the Bureau of Corrections, where the Bureau of Immigration Warden Facility (BIWF) is located, and the National Bureau of Investigation so we may be able to trace the areas the duo could have taken. We will not stop until they have been located and made to face their crimes,” Viado said.

He added that the BI is treating as priority the re-arrest of the two foreigners because of the seriousness of their offenses.

Lee, who has an Interpol red notice, is wanted in South Korea for drug smuggling. The BI Fugitive Search Unit arrested him on Nov. 17 in Pasay City.

Reports said Lee orchestrated the trafficking of about three kilos of shabu in multiple incidents in early 2024. He also has prior criminal convictions, including aggravated assault.

Like Lee, Yang is a subject of an Interpol red notice and is wanted in South Korea for burglary, theft and related offenses. He was arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga in 2022.

Viado said the escape was discovered after the BIWF custodial force team saw a rope tied at the rear portion of a ward gate during routine inspection on Jan. 1.

He added that personnel placed the entire facility on lockdown, conducted a headcount and inspected all ward rooms to find the two.

Meanwhile, BI officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport intercepted two foreign fugitives who tried to sneak into the country through the NAIA on Jan. 1.

The BI said Mongolian Battulga Ganbold was denied entry after records showed a standing warrant of arrest in South Korea for a drug-related offense.

The 30-year-old Mongolian came from Vietnam.

Also denied entry was 37-year-old Ercan Mutlu, who is wanted in Turkey for sexual exploitation and prostitution.

According to Viado, alerts were generated after the two boarded their planes to Manila.

He assured the public that the BI continues to safeguard the country’s boarders.  –  Rudy Santos