Korean fugitive claims paying P6 million to BI exec

MANILA, Philippines —  South Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon yesterday admitted to bribing a supposed high-ranking official of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to escape custody.

At a Senate hearing, Na said he paid P6 million to certain BI and Philippine National Police officials named “Paul” and “Raul” to “escape immigration.”

“Paul said he was in a high position in the immigration in Intramuros. He said just trust me on it. Raul was a police,” Na said through a translator.

Na also admitted paying P8 million to a Korean accomplice named Kim Song Hwan, who promised to bail him out, but failed to do so.

“(Kim) used to work at a casino in Clark. Now he ran away to Malaysia,” Na said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Na’s admission was “painful to hear” amid corruption allegations hounding the BI.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the two BI personnel who helped Na escape on March 4 have been terminated.

He said he has no information about a BI official named “Paul.”

Viado turned combative when confronted by Hontiveros about corruption in the BI.

Deported Philippine offshore gaming operation workers have reportedly managed to escape as they were given transit instead of direct flights to their countries of destination.

“This is a possible opportunity for corruption. I do not believe that no one got a kickback here in exchange for allowing the deportees to escape. What checks does the bureau have to ensure there is no corruption?” Hontiveros asked.

“If you have information, please share it with us because we are willing to investigate that. We are a country of laws. Any prosecution is evidence-based. We cannot resort to a fishing expedition,” Viado said.

4 Koreans nabbed

Meanwhile, four Koreans were arrested in Porac, Pampanga following an operation against an alleged illegal online gambling hub in Barangay Sta. Cruz, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday.

Kim Minha, Kim Haesu, Kim Minsuu and Jang Jin were apprehended on Feb. 27.

Two of the suspects are fugitives with Interpol red notices.

A South Korean court had issued arrest warrants against Minha and Haesu due to their alleged involvement in a voice phishing syndicate operating in the Philippines since 2017.

The syndicate reportedly defrauded victims by posing as bank officials, amassing about $840,000 through scams.

Agents of the NBI, with military intelligence from the Philippine Air Force, executed a search warrant at a condominium unit.

The operation stemmed from reports that the premises were being used as an illegal online gambling hub operating without a license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Authorities seized computers and gambling paraphernalia during the raid.

The four suspects were charged with illegal online gambling. Minha and Haesu are detained at the NBI Pampanga District Office.  –  Mark Ernest Villeza