BI officer recalled over departure of Korean fugitive

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has recalled an officer from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for the departure of a Korean fugitive reportedly wanted in connection with a $25-million investment scam in South Korea.

BI spokesperson Ma. Antonette Mangrobang said that immigration officer Ma. Roselle Sacendoncillo is under probe for the March 18 departure of Park Sung-jung, who is facing charges in South Korea.

Sacendoncillo could face possible administrative and criminal liability.

Initial investigation showed that Sacendoncillo cleared Park before he boarded a Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight to South Korea.

It was reported that the South Korean embassy earlier requested that it be informed if Park tried to leave Manila.

Authorities at the Incheon International Airport arrested Park upon his arrival in South Korea on March 19. But South Korean authorities allegedly claimed that the BI failed to alert Korean authorities about Park’s departure from NAIA.

However, Mangrobang clarified that Park was neither arrested nor detained by the BI before he left the country.

She said the Korean had been the object of a manhunt by BI operatives but managed to elude arrest during his stay in the country.

Mangrobang also disclosed that aside from placing him in the immigration blacklist and ordering his summary deportation, the BI board of commissioners has already cancelled the working visa that was issued earlier to Park.