Immigration launches manhunt for escaped Korean prisoner

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Immigration Chief Ricardo David Jr. ordered a manhunt for a South Korean prisoner who escaped from the bureau’s custody on Saturday night while confined at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Taguig City.

Lawyer Maria Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang, acting intelligence chief, said that upon David’s instructions, she assigned a team of operatives to conduct manhunt operations for Kim Tae Dong.

Mangrobang also appealed to the public for any information that would lead to the fugitive’s recapture, adding that manhunt operations are ongoing in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and National Capital Region Office of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Mangrobang said criminal and administrative investigation was also underway to find out how the Korean fugitive disappeared while in the company of his two escorts from the BI detention center in Bicutan.

She added that the jail guards were placed under preventive suspension arising from the administrative investigation against them.

Kim was taken to the hospital last August 26 after complaining of hypertension, diabetes and abdominal pain.

He was arrested last July 5 in Pasig City. A warrant for his arrest was issued by the Seoul South Korean court last April 8 after he was charged with cheating in a baccarat game on three instances in Seoul.