THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday, December 28, announced the recapture of a Korean fugitive who escaped from the agency’s custody nearly two months ago.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said Choi Youngseop, 52, was arrested last December 19 outside the emergency room of the Manila Doctor’s Hospital in Ermita, Manila, where he had gone for a medical checkup.

BI intelligence officer Edward Mabborang, who led the BI agents, said the operation that led to the arrest of Choi was conducted after the Ermita police station informed the BI that Choi was scheduled to undergo medical checkup.

Choi, who has been in the BI’s wanted list since 2014, was charged with swindling before a Korean court.

Last October 29, Choi escaped from the custody of their jail guards who escorted him and his companion Jeon Taeksang, 50, from their detention cell in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City to a dentist's clinic for checkup.

Morente said the group was eating at a restaurant when one of the guards used the restroom and the Koreans took advantage of the situation to attack the other guard and escape.

The guards were able to recapture Jeon but Choi managed to board a getaway vehicle that was waiting outside.

Jeon and Choi are now detained at the Bicutan Detention Center pending their deportation. (Keith A. Calayag/SunStar Philippines)