BI may join probe of handcuffed Chinese’s death

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) may join an investigation into the death of a Chinese man who was in handcuffs when he fell from a building in Las Piñas City on Aug. 9, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday.

He said they are letting the Philippine National Police (PNP) handle the investigation into the death of Yang Kang, 27, who worked as an information technology employee.

“This is principally a police matter. Once the suspects are identified, and they turn out to be foreigners, I will alert the BI,” added Guevarra. 

A police official, who requested anonymity, said Yang was a call center worker.

The BI is an agency under the Department of Justice and could check travel records to see if Yang’s supervisor is still in the country. 

Initial reports said that Yang was handcuffed by his supervisor, allegedly a Chinese, to the window grills in their office on the sixth floor of the building in Pamplona Dos.

Yang reportedly wanted to resign but owed his supervisor money. His supervisor reportedly paid for his plane fare to the Philippines.

A video aired on GMA-7’s 24 Oras showed the victim was able to remove the window grills but fell as he was trying to escape through the window.

Malacañang is alarmed by the incident and has told the PNP to track down the victim’s supervisor, who faces a charge of serious illegal detention.