2 BI employees face dismissal over Korean fugitive’s escape

MANILA, Philippines - Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. has recommended the dismissal of two BI officers for the escape of a South Korean fugitive through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 last March 19.

Several security personnel of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) assigned at the NAIA are also being investigated for possible involvement in the escape, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said yesterday.

De Lima said the DOJ formally started its fact-finding investigation, which aims to determine the criminal and administrative liabilities of those who allowed Park Sung-jung to leave the country.

She earlier said at least six BI officers and personnel could have facilitated the illegal departure of Park.

David said he asked De Lima to file criminal charges against the concerned immigration officers.

David admitted that initial investigation showed there was conspiracy in allowing the Korean fugitive to fly out of the country.

He said the BI personnel suspected of facilitating the departure were caught on closed-circuit television cameras at the NAIA escorting the Korean up to the boarding gate with a member of the Office of Transport Security (OTS).

Four other BI employees were also ordered by David to explain their involvement, sources added.

De Lima said “some personnel of the office of transport security were also in collusion with immigration officers who were assigned at the airport during that night.”

She said this information was supported by an intelligence report gathered by investigators, adding the participation of the DOTC men was “very obvious.”

“I already gave a heads up to DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya for the cooperation of the Office of Transport Security,” she said.

De Lima said she has yet to act on the recommendation of David to terminate the two erring immigration officers.

De Lima directed David to terminate the bureau’s internal investigation and allow the DOJ to come in so as to avoid conflict and confusion.

“I am issuing a memorandum for the BI intelligence division to stop their own investigation and turn over all records and documents they have regarding the incident to the three-member committee,” she said.

De Lima said she met with the fact-finding team led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Aileen Marie Gutierrez and specifically gave instructions on parameters of the investigation.

De Lima said the investigation is not limited to the departure of the undocumented foreigner because it will also include the irregular issuance of a working visa to the Korean.

She revealed Park managed to secure a visa in what appeared to be another connivance among BI personnel.

The STAR learned the initial investigation showed Park was the subject of a summary deportation order in June last year. A deportation warrant was issued in August, when Park was even able to secure a working visa from the BI.

De Lima confirmed this and said officials and personnel of the BI’s legal division would be covered by the probe.

She believed corruption or bribery was involved in the case. – With Rainier Allan Ronda