5-3-2025 (MANILA) The Bureau of Immigration has launched an intensive search operation for South Korean national Na Ikhyeon, who made a daring escape from custody on Wednesday despite his legal counsel being present.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado swiftly ordered the manhunt after Na fled through the court’s lavatory facilities in what authorities suspect was a meticulously orchestrated disappearance.

“We’re examining whether his counsel had prior knowledge of this seemingly pre-planned incident,” Commissioner Viado stated, raising questions about potential collusion.

The case has prompted severe disciplinary action within the Bureau, with four contractual staff members immediately terminated for alleged negligence. Criminal and administrative proceedings are being prepared against the immigration escorts who were responsible for Na’s supervision, reflecting Viado’s stringent “one-strike” approach towards staff misconduct.

Na, who was arrested in May 2023, had been detained at the Immigration facility awaiting deportation to South Korea, where he faces serious allegations of investment fraud. According to authorities, he allegedly enticed fellow South Koreans to invest in fabricated financial schemes.

His deportation proceedings had been temporarily suspended pending the resolution of a separate estafa case filed against him at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

“We’re pursuing charges against anyone who may have assisted in his escape,” Viado confirmed, adding that a specialised tracker team has been assembled to recapture Na. The Commissioner revealed that investigators have already established promising leads regarding the fugitive’s whereabouts.

Despite having served only 156 days in office, Commissioner Viado has implemented substantial reforms throughout the Bureau of Immigration. He has assured the public that this security breach is being comprehensively addressed whilst efforts to locate Na continue unabated.