THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday admitted that the identity of a Japanese national tagged as a certain “Luffy” who reportedly behind a series of robberies in Japan has yet to be ascertained.
BI spokesman Dana Sandoval explained that there are 17 Japanese nationals currently detained in BI’s custodial facility, but there is no official confirmation yet who among them is Luffy.
“My apologies we are unable to give a statement until his identity and further details about the case are confirmed by the appropriate agencies,” Sandoval said.
“It might be dangerous or unfair for other detainees if we release info about them and they end up not being connected to this case,” the BI spokesman added.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier released a briefer confirming that a certain Yuki Watanabe is under the BI’s custody following his arrest on April 19, 2021.
Based on the briefer, Watanabe is also known as “Luffy” to the Japanese police, the alleged ringleader of a robbery group responsible for a series of robberies in Japan, and who reportedly give instructions to his cohorts through an encrypted messaging app while in detention in Taguig.
Watanabe has a summary deportation order dated May 28, 2021 for being an illegal entrant and a fugitive from justice in connection with the use of counterfeit official mark and theft charges filed against him in Japan.
His deportation, however, is on hold pending the resolution of the criminal case for violence against women and children (VAWC) filed against him before the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City.
The DOJ said Watanabe will be deported after the dismissal of the case or service of sentence should he be found liable of the crime, whichever comes first.
Aside from Watanabe, the DOJ also confirmed that Imamura Kiyoto, alleged member of the robbery syndicate, is currently under the BI custody and is facing summary deportation issued by the BI on January 30, 2020 for being a fugitive from justice in Japan in connection with theft charges.
Kiyoto’s deportation has been on hold pending the resolution of the criminal case for violation of the VAWC law.
But, the DOJ said the BI has received through e-mail a copy of the January 25, 2023 order of the Makati RTC permanently dismissing the criminal case.
Remulla said the BI would implement the summary deportation order as soon as it secures the needed clearances and travel document of Kiyoto.
Meanwhile, Sandoval said the BI is expecting clarity on the case and identify of Luffy within the week.
Remulla admitted that the Japanese embassy has yet to confirm the identities of Japanese nationals under the BI’s custody who are involved in crimes committed in Japan.
“As to the question if there are people in detention who are responsible for crimes committed under Japanese jurisdiction, I can’t answer that. The only ones who can answer that are Japanese police authorities,” Remulla said.
Remulla earlier directed the BI to confiscate any communication device being used by detainees in its facility.
The DOJ chief said all gadgets confiscated would be placed in the BI’s custody and be subjected to forensic investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“Any confiscation will still be in the hands of the Bureau of Immigration. I have not received information on the number of phones confiscated, but the Japanese government has been directly in contact and they know the importance of these telephones for the forensic investigation and the activities done to the telephones,” Remulla said.
Remulla also disclosed that he is set to meet with the Japanese ambassador to the Philippines today, Tuesday, and will likely discuss the possibility of deporting those involved in the crimes.
DOJ meeting
DOJ spokesman, lawyer Jose.Dominic Clavano said a coordination meeting has already been conducted Monday afternoon between Japanese Embassy officials and the justicr departmwnt.
In the said meeting, Clavano said the Japanese Embassy presented four outstanding arrest warrants which have been pending in Japan for some years now.
“This is the basis for the request for deportation of the four Japanese nationals from the Philippines to Japan,” Clavano.
Clavano, however, did not disclose the names of Japanese nationals in BI’s custody subject of the arrest warrants.
However, Clavano said Remulla has committed to expedite the process of deportation of the four Japanese nationals and “has vowed cooperation with the Japanese embassy and government on the matter.”