Japanese fugitive collared after almost 9 years

MANILA, Philippines – An alleged former member of a Japanese crime syndicate has been arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) after hiding in the country for almost nine years.

BI chief Jaime Morente on Monday said that Katsumi Ohno, 71, will be deported following his arrest for fraud.

Morente said Ohno’s arrest in Pasay City last September 30 was conducted in coordination with Japanese authorities.

Ohno has a standing warrant of arrest for fraud.

Further investigation showed that Ohno has been hiding in the country since April 10, 2011 when he arrived as a tourist from Hong Kong.

“We also learned that his passport already expired in November last year, making him an undocumented alien,” Morente said in a statement.

Ohno is now included in the immigration blacklist and is currently detained at the Immigration Detention Center in Taguig City. /gsg