BI arrests 4 South Korean fugitives
MANILA, Philippines — Four South Korean fugitives hiding in the country have been arrested by the Bureau of Immigration in separate operations.
Immigration Spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Friday that the fugitives are wanted by the authorities for various crimes and was arrested by the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU).
Sandoval described the fugitives as “undesirable aliens” that “should be expelled for posing a risk to public safety and security.”
“The directive of Commissioner (Jaime) Morente is clear. We will weed out these foreign criminals hiding in here,” said Sandoval in a statement. “Justice will be served.”
According to Sandoval, the FSU arrested 43-year-old Eum Ki Tae last Wednesday in Pampanga. Eum was wanted in his country for fraud for allegedly defrauding a compatriot of more than 43 million Korean won.
On the same day, BI agents also arrested Lee Sangmin, 33, in his condominium unit in Makati City. Sandoval said Lee has an outstanding arrest warrant for joint invasion of residence and task obstruction.
He was also reported to have spread false news about his victim and forcibly entered the victim’s office which disrupted operations. Lee was considered an undocumented alien after the Korean embassy revoked his passport in 2014.
Before Eum and Lee’s arrest, FSU arrested both Kim Yoonyoung, 58, and Yoon Juong Yul, 60, in Barangay Amaya, Tanza, Cavite.
Sandoval said Kim has an outstanding arrest warrant for joint invasion of residence and task obstruction, while Yoon has been wanted in Korea for fraud for allegedly defrauding victims of some 270 million Korean won.
All four are currently detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings.
Sandoval also noted that all except for Lee will be immediately deported to face their crimes in Korea. Lee will face his case in the country before deportation. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
