BI to deport Japanese fugitive wanted for alleged theft —DOJ

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will deport a Japanese national who is wanted for alleged theft in his country, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

In a press briefer, the DOJ said that Imamura Kiyoto has a summary deportation order dated January 30, 2020 for charges of theft in Japan.

The DOJ said the dismissal of his pending case before the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 3 was received by the BI on January 26.

“The Bureau will implement the Summary Deportation Order as soon as we secure the needed clearances and travel documents,” the DOJ briefer read.

Meanwhile, Imamura’s leader Yuki Watanabe or “Luffy” has a summary deportation order dated May 28, 2021 for charges of using counterfeit official marks and theft.

However, he has a pending case at the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 109.

“Subject will be deported after the dismissal of the case or service of sentence should he be found liable of the crime, whichever comes first,” it said.

According to Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano, the agency is verifying the identity of the alleged mastermind behind the robberies.

“So we have to make sure, no, that we have all the facts straight para alam po natin kung anong gagawin natin (so that we will know what we should do),” Clavano said during the public briefing.

“But we will fully cooperate with the Japanese Embassy regarding this matter dahil alam po natin malaking issue ito sa Japan (because we know this is a big issue in Japan),” he added.

Media in Japan have reported a string of robberies allegedly connected with a certain "Luffy".

According to The Japan News on Sunday, the Metropolitan Police Department is verifying if a recent robbery incident involves four Japanese men — including Imamura and Watanabe — currently detained in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, in an ambush interview, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said there are 17 Japanese currently detained at the BI.

“But we have 17 people under detention. We do not know how many of them are actually part of the string of robberies in Japan,” Remulla said.

He said he will also meet the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines on Tuesday, January 31. — KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News