Lawyer of Japanese fugitives says VAWC raps not invented

The lawyer of two Japanese fugitives whose deportations are being sought by the government said Thursday he does not believe that the complaints for violence against women filed against his clients are invented.

Atty. Eljun Rico is the lawyer of “Saito” and Yuki Watanabe or alias Luffy as per Japanese authorities. Luffy is the alleged mastermind in the series of robberies in Japan.

“I personally believe it is not because it is unfair for the complainant. Any litigant has their right to litigate and to vindicate their cause, especially a woman,” Rico said.

This is in reaction to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla saying he believes that some of the pending cases filed against the Japanese are contrived to prevent them from being deported.

Asked about claims that the partners of the Japanese nationals still visit them every day and remain sweet to them, Rico said that husbands and wife can be civil in nature.

“I don’t have any personal knowledge as to that fact. But if assuming that it is true then domestic problems sometimes, you know, even husband and wife can be civil in nature, especially if they need support, right,” he said.

“So if to give color to that manifestation or action, assuming it is true, well, it is really up to them,” he added.

Rico said the complainants were former partners and spouses of his clients.

Meanwhile, he said it is also within the right of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file complaints against lawyers who file contrived cases.

Rico, however, said they underwent the regular process.

“For me, everything is regular because we even conducted preliminary investigation in this case, we appeared before the prosecutor’s office, my client was indicted, it is now in court, a warrant was issued for their arrest and we posted their bail,” he said.

The government is seeking to deport four Japanese nationals who are wanted for theft in Japan, three of which have pending cases in the Philippines. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News