Pampanga intercepted a South Korean fugitive who had taken a false Filipino identity

Immigration police at Clark International Airport in Angeles City, Pampanga intercepted a South Korean fugitive who had taken a false Filipino identity, preventing him from trying to leave the country. The incident shows how vigilant and successful immigration authorities are in keeping people from fleeing justice.

The fugitive, identified as Na Ikhyeon, 26, was apprehended by immigration officers before he could board a Cebu Pacific Airways flight to Hong Kong. Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco revealed that Na had presented a spurious Philippine passport under the name Rodingo Santos Chun. However, the irregularities in the passport immediately raised suspicions among the immigration officers.

Photo by Maria Tyutina

Upon closer examination, the immigration officer discovered glaring irregularities in the biopage of the passport, rendering it unreadable when scanned. Moreover, Na's inability to speak Pilipino or any local dialect further aroused suspicion. Subsequently, during questioning by members of the Bureau of Immigration's border control and intelligence unit, Na surrendered his South Korean passport, which was found to be on Interpol's list of invalidated travel documents.

Interpol's national central bureau in Manila confirmed that Na is wanted in South Korea for two counts of fraud. The discovery of his true identity and criminal background further cemented the necessity of his capture.

In response to the incident, Immigration Commissioner Tansingco stated that the BI Board of Commissioners would issue a summary deportation order against Na, facilitating his return to South Korea to face the charges against him. This swift action reflects the commitment of the immigration authorities to upholding the law and ensuring that fugitives do not escape justice.

This incident comes on the heels of another successful interception at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where BI officers prevented five women suspected of being human trafficking victims from leaving the country. Four of the women were bound for Bangkok, Thailand, while the remaining individual was destined for Singapore. Investigations conducted by the BI's travel control and enforcement unit revealed that all of them had presented forged employment documents.

The women confessed that they had been recruited to work in Chiang Rai province, a region known for being a destination for trafficking victims exploited by crypto scam operators. This discovery underscores the ongoing efforts of the immigration authorities to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals from falling prey to illegal activities.

The recent interceptions at both Clark International Airport and Ninoy Aquino International Airport demonstrate the effectiveness of immigration officers in their mission to maintain the integrity of travel documents and safeguard national security. Their relentless dedication to their duty is pivotal in preventing criminals and victims alike from slipping through the cracks and ensuring that justice is served.

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Originally posted at: MSN

By: William B. Depasupil 

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