2 of 4 Japanese in BI custody up for deportation, says Remulla

Jesus Crispin Remulla. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Of the four Japanese citizens in the Bureau of Immigration (BI) custody, two may soon be up for deportation, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Thursday.

The Japanese government has been requesting the Philippines to deport four of its nationals involved in theft, fraud and robbery in their country.

One of the four is believed to be “Luffy,” detained at the BI facility in Bicutan but still managed to operate a robbery group in his country.

“Maybe two of them will be deported ahead of the others,” Remulla told reporters.

He said one is already cleared, with cases against him has been dismissed already, while the other, he is confident that the case will be dismissed on Friday.

However, the two with pending cases, one of which is Yuki Watanabe, who was identified as “Luffy” by a DOJ briefer, will have to stay in the country’s detention for a while as the case against him for violation of the Republic Act 9262 or the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) is still being heard before the Pasay court.

During Thursday’s hearing, the prosecution presented evidence against Watanabe, who attended the court hearing via video conferencing.

His lawyer, Atty. Eljun Rico said they will not oppose if the prosecutors would be filing a motion to dismiss the case.

“If that would favor my client, why would I oppose it,” Rico told reporters after the hearing at the Pasay City Regional Trial Court.

The hearing on Watanabe’s case and the other Japanese suspect is set again on February 7 with the prosecution set to present two witnesses.

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JPV