South Korean fugitive claims 2 Filipinos helped him escape

South Korean fugitive Na Ik-hyeon (right) attends the Senate committee on justice and human rights’ Tuesday hearing virtually. (Screengrab / Senate of the Philippines YouTube)

MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipino nationals identified only as “Raul” and “Paul” allegedly facilitated the escape of Na Ik-hyeon, a Korean fugitive wanted in South Korea for fraud.

Na himself revealed this information during the Senate subpanel on justice and human rights hearing on Tuesday.

“What are the names of Bureau Immigration (BI) people who helped you escape?” asked Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who presided over the hearing.

An in-house translator relayed the senator’s question to Na after translating it. In response, Na gave two first names: Raul and Paul.

READ: BI in pursuit of Korean who escaped during trial

According to Na, the two Filipinos promised to help him escape in exchange for cash. Na said he gave a fellow Korean national P8 million in June 2023 and an additional P6 million to the two Filipinos.

Later in the hearing, Na revealed that Raul claimed to be a member of the Philippine National Police, while Paul said he was a high-ranking officer of the BI.

When asked about the matter during the hearing, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said they do not know anyone named Raul or Paul who may have been involved in Na’s escape.

Viado said they were able to obtain photos of the alleged BI officers who ushered the escape, but he said they weren’t able to identify the individuals.

“Aside from the investigation internally, we also filed a case before the City Prosecutor of Quezon City. We also filed one before the Ombudsman, and our investigation is not confined to these three. There are other things being investigated inside the Bureau,” said Viado.

READ: South Korean fugitive rearrested in Pampanga after 5-day chase

The agency earlier said Na was arrested on May 31, 2023, and was held in its facility while awaiting deportation.

But Na’s deportation was deferred pending the resolution of an estafa case filed by a Filipino complainant against him before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

The BI said the suspect attended a hearing on March 4, during which he escaped from authorities.