Korean fugitive had to be freed – Palace

MANILA, Philippines - A Korean fugitive, wanted by the International Criminal Police (Interpol), had to be released from government custody after Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.’s office upheld the deportation order of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), making it final and executory, Malacañang said yesterday.

Ja Hoon Ku “was allowed to stay in the country while his appeal was being reviewed,” Assistant Secretary Jed Eva III said in a statement.

He said Ja filed an appeal with the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, questioning the BI’s deportation order.

The appeal was denied, Eva said, noting that he assumes the BI deportation became “final” and “they already know what to do.”

Ochoa had ordered that Ja be turned over to the custody of the Iglesia ni Cristo. Ja, a civil engineer, is reportedly one of the men who set up the INC’s chapter in South Korea and was a contractor of the religious group’s Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Ja still in Phl

Despite the deportation order, BI spokesperson Elaine Tan said she is certain that the fugitive is still in the country.

Tan said if Ochoa indeed issued an order for Ja’s turnover to INC custody, Ochoa did not commit an irregularity.

“It was aboveboard. Part of the process is that he is entitled to appeal with the Department of Justice or the Office of the President, but I have yet to see the merits of his case. I have not seen his record,” she said.

Tan, however, noted that part of the condition for temporary freedom is that the BI should be aware of Ja’s whereabouts. She does not know when Ja was turned over to the INC.

$200-M theft

The Korean embassy asked the BI to arrest and deport Ja for allegedly stealing $200 million from Phildip Korea Co. Ltd. He was arrested by the BI on Jan. 16 and later ordered deported by BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison.

Prior to Ochoa’s order, the Supreme Court twice stopped a Manila judge’s order for the BI to release Ja and transfer him to the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Mison filed appeals against the judge’s orders with the SC.

The first temporary restraining order against Manila Judge Paulito Gallegos’ ruling was issued on Feb. 4 and another TRO was issued last March.

The SC said the BI can still keep custody of Ja, who is the subject of a notice from the Interpol in connection with the embezzlement.

The day after his Jan. 16 arrest, Ja’s lawyers filed a writ of amparo with the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 47, contesting his arrest. He also sought the issuance of a temporary protection order.

The court ordered Ja’s release to the Philippine Red Cross or its chairperson, former senator Richard Gordon. The PNP was also ordered to extend protection to Ja’s family.

In another order, dated Jan. 29, the lower court ordered Ja’s transfer from the custody of the BI to the PNP.