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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 2 South Korean fugitives escape from BI detention; manhunt launched

2 South Korean fugitives escape from BI detention; manhunt launched

Published Jan 2, 2026 10:55 am
Two South Korean fugitives, who are wanted in their country for various criminal offenses, have escaped from the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) detention facility in Muntinlupa City.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said the bureau launched last Thursday, Jan. 1, a manhunt operation against the two fugitives he identified as Lee Jingyu, 32, and Yang Heejun, 44.
In a statement, the BI said that Lee, who was arrested by the bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) in Pasay City last Nov. 17, is wanted by South Korean authorities and is the subject of an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) Red Notice for drug smuggling.
Yang, on the other hand, was arrested by BI operatives in Angeles City, Pampanga in 2022 is also a subject of Interpol’s Red Notice for burglary, theft, and related offenses.
“Yang has a deportation case for being an undesirable and undocumented alien and was detained at the BI’s Warden Facility (BIWF) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City pending the completion of legal proceedings. Yang had earlier been implicated in an attempted drug smuggling incident inside the detention facility in 2022,” the BI also said.
“We will not stop until they have been located so they can be made to face their crimes,” assured Viado.
He appealed to the public for help in locating the two Koreans.
Also, Viado said the BI has sought the assistance of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in locating the two Koreans.
It said the BI’s custodial force was conducting a routine inspection at the BIWF when it discovered a rope tied at the rear portion of a ward gate.
“A subsequent headcount and inspection of all wards revealed that Lee and Yang were unaccounted for. This prompted security personnel to immediately place the facility in total lockdown, while a thorough search of all the perimeter sections was conducted,” it said.
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