'Luffy' controversy won't affect Marcos trip to Japan —DFA exec

The controversy involving four Japanese fugitives currently detained in the Philippines will not affect President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s trip to Japan next week, a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official said Wednesday. 

According to DFA Assistant Secretary Neal Imperial, the matter is already being handled by the Department of Justice as well as by the Japanese Embassy in Manila.

"If there is a decision to deport these concerned Japanese nationals, the Philippines will follow the timeline of deportation proceedings in accordance with the Philippine laws," Imperial said in a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang.

Marcos will have a working visit to Japan from February 8 to 12.

"We feel that this is totally unrelated to the visit of the President. This is a consular matter being handled by the Department of Justice and the Japanese Embassy here and our embassy in Japan with the Ministry of Justice in Tokyo," Imperial said.

"We don't think it will affect, in any way, the visit of the President and we do not expect it to be raised during his meeting with counterpart."

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier disclosed that one Imamura Kiyoto has a summary deportation order dated January 30, 2020 for charges of theft in Japan.

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

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

According to the DOJ, the BI will implement the Summary Deportation Order "as soon as we secure the needed clearances and travel documents."

On Monday, representatives from the Japanese Embassy in Manila met with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to request the deportation of four of its nationals, including Luffy, allegedly involved in a string of robberies in Japan. —KBK, GMA Integrated News