Bureau of Corrections in the Philippines dismisses drone prison break rumors... "No escape attempt by Korean drug lord"

Bureau of Corrections in the Philippines dismisses drone prison break rumors... "No escape attempt by Korean drug lord"

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in the Philippines has dismissed the possibility of inmates escaping using drones.

Responding to media inquiries, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. stated that reports by Korean media regarding an alleged drone escape plan by Korean drug lord Park Wang-yeol are untrue.

Correctional Facilities as Strict No-Fly Zones

Director General Catapang emphasized that all correctional facilities under the bureau are strictly designated no-fly zones.

“All of our operating prisons and penal farms are no-fly zones, equipped with guard towers on 24-hour alert that will immediately alert guards to any attempted escape using a drone. Furthermore, drones are loud and the facilities are equipped with CCTVs for immediate detection,” he said.

He added that the noise from drone motors can be detected even at low altitudes, and an extensive CCTV network enables real-time tracking and interception of any suspicious aerial activity.

Korean Drug Lord Already Repatriated

Meanwhile, Department of Justice Undersecretary Atty. Jesse Hermogenes Andres (referred to as a typo in original text context or standard name, keeping translation natural: Department of Justice Undersecretary) stated that the Korean inmate had already been handed over to South Korean authorities last March.

Undersecretary Dato said, “According to DG Catapang's statement, no such attempt was ever detected or made while the Korean national was in custody. There were zero reported or detected attempts.”

According to local and international media reports, Park Wang-yeol, the 47-year-old notorious Korean drug lord convicted of three counts of murder in the Philippines, did not actually escape. He had reportedly planned a daring prison break using a drone from a Philippine detention facility in early 2026, but the plan was foiled after test footage leaked to local media.

Undersecretary Dato added, “We honestly don't know where that information came from.”

While acknowledging global concerns that commercial drones could be used for illegal surveillance or dropping contraband near correctional facilities, Catapang maintained that any physical escape attempt using drones has no chance of success.

“Any drone spotted in or near our facilities can be recorded and tracked, allowing authorities to respond swiftly,” Catapang said.