MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has rearrested a Korean national who escaped government custody earlier this year.

Lee Jingyu, 32, was apprehended during an interagency manhunt on the evening of Feb. 26 along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City. Lee is subject to a summary deportation order for undesirability and is listed under an Interpol Red Notice for drug smuggling.

Lee had been on the run since Jan. 1 after disappearing from the BI Warden Facility in Muntinlupa City. Intelligence reports tracked his movements from Manila to Baguio City and other areas. His fellow detainee, Yang Heejun, was rearrested on Jan. 14.

During the operation, authorities also apprehended another Korean, In Jaesang, 41, who acted as a lookout and escort for Lee. In was taken into custody for failing to present valid immigration documents. Both are now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation while facing deportation proceedings.

The joint operation involved the BI Intelligence Division–Special Response Team, Korean authorities, NBI–Intelligence Operations Division, DICT–Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, and other government intelligence units.

Meanwhile, the BI deported another Korean, Na Ikhyeon, 28, who left the country aboard an Asiana Airlines flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. Na is wanted in Korea for allegedly defrauding fellow Koreans through deceptive investment schemes. He was first arrested on May 31, 2023 at Clark International Airport for attempting to leave using a counterfeit Philippine passport.