BI files raps vs 2 jail guards in escape of Korean

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has filed formal complaints against two of its employees who were detailed as guards of a South Korean detainee who escaped from his hospital room last Christmas Eve.

BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said Thursday that charges of infidelity in the custody of prisoners had been filed before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office against Eduardo Dulay and Noel Acedillo.

Davide said Dulay has been placed under preventive suspension for 90 days and Acedillo’s services as Immigration’s confidential agent have been terminated.

The detainee, Kim Tae Dong, who is wanted for casino cheating in his country, escaped from his confinement at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City in Taguig on December 24 while being guarded by Dulay and Acedillo. The BI was saddled with Kim’s P2.2 million hospitalization fee.

The BI chief, in a statement, said the filing of the case should serve as a reminder to other BI employees to faithfully discharge their duties because failure to do so would not go unpunished.

“In our sincere efforts to professionalize our ranks, there is no room for compromise.  That is the marching order I got from the President,” David said.

In a related development, David formed a five-man panel, headed by BI Associate Commissioner Siegfred Mison, that will investigate the escape and determine the administrative and criminal liabilities of officials/employees involved.

According to lawyer Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, acting intelligence chief, Dulay and Acedillo could get a jail term of from six months to six years if convicted.

Mangrobang said the two employees have been charged with violating Article 224 of the Revised Penal Code, which metes out punishment on a negligent officer charged with the conveyance or custody of an escaped prisoner.

Dulay and Acedillo could get a jail term of from six months to six years if convicted.

In their explanation, Dulay and Acedillo claimed that Kim disappeared after the Korean enticed them to eat food and drink beer, which made them fall asleep inside his hospital room.

The 54-year-old Kim was taken to the St. Luke’s on Aug. 26, 2011, due to hypertension, diabetes and abdominal pains, and had been there under hospital arrest.

Kim was arrested in Pasig City on July 5, 2011, on the strength of a mission order that David issued at the request of the Korean embassy. He allegedly tried to bribe the arresting agents but the latter turned down his offer.

According to the embassy, Kim, along with nine other suspects, is wanted for cheating in a baccarat game on three instances at a casino in Seoul in 2010.

A warrant of arrest was reportedly issued against the suspects by the Dongbu district court in Seoul but Kim eluded arrest by fleeing to Manila on April 8, 2011.

Mangrobang said last week that the BI believed Kim had not yet left the country.