Authorities apprehended a South Korean national misrepresenting himself as a Filipino in Davao City very recently. The operation unfolded at Sitio Mojon in Barangay Langub, leading to the arrest of 58-year-old Kim Jinkoon.
The arrest was orchestrated by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) following a mission order sanctioned by BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco. BI Intelligence Deputy Chief for Mindanao, Melody Penelope Gonzales, spearheaded the operation, bringing a halt to Kim’s attempt to assimilate as a Filipino under the forged identity of Allan Sun Duran.
Kim faced a string of seven cases in South Korea, prompting the cancellation of his passport by the Korean government. The fugitive found himself cornered as his fugitive status came to light through coordination between Filipino and Korean authorities.
Initial reports show that Kim presented falsified identification cards and insisted on applying for a Philippine passport, maintaining that he was indeed Filipino. The Department of Foreign Affairs Region XI first flagged Kim’s activities, passing on the information to the National Bureau of Investigation Region XI, who made the initial arrest.
As the authorities intensified their verification process, Kim eventually conceded, revealing that he had procured a Philippine birth certificate in 2008 through unlawful channels, involving an unidentified Filipina fixer.
The operation was a combined effort of various units, including Task Force Davao, Philippine National Police Maa Police Station, and several government intelligence units, ensuring a cohesive operation that forestalled any attempt by Kim to continue his false representation.
Kim is currently detained at the BI Davao District Office as he awaits transfer to the BI’s Warden Facility in Taguig. He is facing charges of overstaying and being an undesirable alien, as he embarks on a legal battle that comes in the wake of his previous criminal records in his home country.