Palace frees Korean fugitive

MANILA, Philippines - A Palace official has allegedly ordered the release of a Korean fugitive wanted for stealing $200 million from his company in Korea, according to a report by ABS-CBN.

Ja Hoon Ku was one of the contractors involved in the construction of the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s (INC) Philippine Arena, the world’s largest domed arena.

Ja was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in January and was supposed to be deported to Korea.

However, he was granted temporary freedom due to an order allegedly signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.

Ja was released from jail and entrusted to members of the INC as he waits for the court’s decision on his deportation case.

The Palace has yet to release a statement on Ochoa’s purported order.

SC was first stop

Prior to Ochoa’s order, the Supreme Court (SC) twice stopped a Manila judge’s order for the BI to release Ja and transfer him to the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The first temporary restraining order against Manila Judge Paulito Gallegos’ ruling was issued on Feb. 4 and another TRO was issued last March.

The SC said the BI can still keep custody of Ja, who is the subject of a notice from the International Criminal Police (Interpol) for allegedly spending the reserve funds of Phildip Korea Co. Ltd.

According to earlier reports, the Korean embassy asked Philippine authorities to arrest and deport Ja. The day after his Jan. 16 arrest, Ja’s lawyers filed a writ of amparo with the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 47, contesting his arrest. He also sought the issuance of a temporary protection order.

The Manila court ordered Ja’s release to the Philippine Red Cross or its chairperson, former senator Richard Gordon. The PNP was also ordered to extend protection to Ja’s family.

In another order, dated Jan. 29, the lower court ordered Ja’s transfer from the custody of the BI to the PNP.