Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 17) — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday launched a manhunt operation against a Jordanian national who was able to escape his escorts after a court hearing.
It said Tarek Nihad Siam, 47, made his escape on Jan. 16 when he attended a hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 237 in connection with his case for violating the comprehensive law on firearms and ammunition. He was arrested in 2022.
An investigation showed that Siam requested to use the restroom after the court hearing. When one of his escorts noticed that he was taking too long, he decided to check inside, but Siam was nowhere to be found.
“After a while, the agent said that he noticed Siam’s prolonged use of the facilities, which prompted him to force open the door to discover that Siam has disappeared, apparently abusing a small window in the restroom,” the BI said in a statement.
It also said that his two escorts, who were described as “job order personnel,” were fired from their posts. The two, along with their team leader who is an organic employee, will face criminal charges for infidelity of custody of the inmate.
Aside from illegal gun possession in the Philippines, the BI learned that Siam is wanted in Abu Dhabi for assault and alcohol abuse.
