The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to transfer several high-profile foreign detainees to a more secure facility following the recent escape of a 28-year-old South Korean fugitive from BI custody.
According to a report by Christian Maño on Super Radyo dzBB, BI Commissioner Joel Viado stated that the move aims to improve monitoring and security after the fugitive, who is wanted for fraud in South Korea, managed to escape during a court hearing. Though he was later rearrested, the Senate has launched an investigation into how the breach occurred.
In response, Viado has dismissed several BI personnel involved in the incident and ordered mandatory background checks on staff handling high-profile detainees, along with their regular rotation.
To prevent further escapes, detainees will temporarily attend hearings via videoconferencing, minimizing security risks.