By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros plans to subpoena CCTV footage showing the escape of South Korean fugitive Na Ikhyeon during the upcoming hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Justice.
The fugitive escaped last week while being transported to his court hearing in Quezon City.
Hontiveros stated that the CCTV footage confirmed the fugitive didn’t just escape from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) but had deliberately done so.
“Kahit naaresto na siya ulit, nakakabahala na kung hindi pa natin isiniwalat sa publiko ang impormasyon ng pagtakas nitong pugante, baka hindi pa nagkaroon ng manhunt,” Hontiveros said.
“This is symptomatic of the failures and offenses of the BI in handling erring foreign nationals. Mukhang hindi mawala-wala ang kultura ng korapsyon sa ahensya.”
The senator added that BI Commissioner Joel Viado should ensure the strictest penalties, including criminal liability under Article 223 of the Revised Penal Code, for the BI officials involved in the incident.
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