Korean national blacklisted

Immigration Commissioner Rufus Rodriguez banned yesterday from reentering the country a South Korean national for importing elephant tusks into the country in violation of an international accord on endangered species.

Rodriguez included Noh Kil Sang in the immigration’s blacklist at the request of the National Bureau of Investigation to prevent him from ever reentering the country.

The NBI, which seized 40 elephant tusks from Noh’s rented house in United Parañaque Subdivision in Sucat, Parañaque in May 1997, said the Korean had already left the country as they could no longer locate him.

But even then, Rodriquez ordered a manhunt for Noh so he could be deported to South Korea where he is also wanted for drug trafficking.

Rodriguez explained that the importation, possession and sale of elephant tusks is prohibited under Presidential Decree 705 and an administrative order of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

He said that the prohibition is mandated under the Convention on International Treaties covering endangered species of which the Philippines is a signatory.

Records of the NBI Interpol showed that Noh is a fugitive in South Korea where he is charged with illegally manufacturing prohibited drugs.

It is believed that Noh fled to Manila after a South Korean court ordered his arrest. The South Korean embassy in Manila had canceled his passport thus making him an undocumented alien. – Rey Arquiza