South Korean 'fugitive' recaptured by NBI, BI in Pasay City
A South Korean “fugitive,” who is wanted in his country for alleged drug charges and other offenses, was recaptured in Pasay City Thursday night, Feb. 26, after his escape last month from the detention facility of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin A. Matibag and BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado presented during a joint press conference at the NBI headquarters the recaptured Korean national identified as Lee Jingyu, 32.
Matibag said the rearrest was a collaboration between the NBI and the BI to which Viado expressed his gratitude.
The NBI’ International Operations Division (NBI-IOD) and the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) arrested Lee at a fast-food restaurant in Pasay City along with his South Korean companion identified as In Jaesang, 41.
NBI-IOD Chief Christopher M. Hernandez said the two Koreans will undergo inquest before the Prosecutor’s Office for drug charges.
Hernandez said that when the arresting officers conducted a search, illegal drugs known as ketamine were recovered.
He also said the operatives were instructed to arrest Lee on sight since the Korean is already the subject of a “red notice” from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) which requested the apprehension of the “fugitive.”
BI records show that Lee and another Korean identified as Yang Heejun escaped from the BI’s Warden Facility in Muntinlupa City last Jan. 1.
The BI eventually recaptured Yang last Jan. 14 and later deported him but Lee remained elusive until his rearrest.
Commissioner Viado said that Lee arrived in the Philippines in November 2025 when no Interpol red notice has been issued yet.
The Interpol issued the red notice against Lee in December 2025, he said.