One of 2 Korean escapees recaptured – NCRPO chief

October 11, 2020

Authorities have recaptured one of the two Korean nationals who escaped from a detention cell in Taguig City on Saturday night.

Police Major General Debold Sinas, National Capital Region Police Office chief, said Sunday the two foreigners bolted from the detention cell of Criminal Investigation Detection Group- Metro Manila District Field Unit (CIDG MMDFU) inside Southern Police District (SPD) headquarters around 11:45pm.

Sinas said the escapees were identified as Kwon Kyeok Soo and Yeon Jun Lim.

According to the initial report, Yeon asked the duty jailer to use the comfort room outside the detention cell and upon opening, he choked and hit the police officer many times in the head.

Kwon was able to get out of the cell and aided Yeon.

“The duo then took the service firearm of the police officer and locked the front door leaving him inside while the suspects immediately fled by jumping from the window with the firearm,” Sinas said.

The duty jailer immediately sought assistance from District Mobile Force Battalion (DMFB) and base police personnel.

Because of the incident, the camp was locked down and all units assisted in locating the escapees. All nearby police stations were also informed and directed to conduct checkpoints.

Sinas said the hot pursuit resulted to the apprehension of Kwon around 12:59 am of October 11 while Yeon Jun Lim remains at large.

"Intensified manhunt operation against the remaining escapee continues,” he said.

“Series of information gathering, surveillance and monitoring of his possible whereabouts are now being undertaken in order to ensure his re-arrest the soonest possible time,” Sinas added.

The NCRPO chief instructed the SPD chief to conduct an investigation to determine the possible culpability of the duty jailer.

He also requested the Regional Director, Regional Internal Affairs Service-NCR to conduct the investigation for the possible administrative case. Ella Dionisio/DMS