The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of a Japanese national wanted by authorities in Tokyo for involvement in financial fraud.
In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the fugitive as Sato Shohei, 32, who was arrested last April 24 along Newport Blvd., Pasay City by operatives from the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).
Tansingco said the arresting agents were armed with a warrant, which he issued pursuant to a summary deportation order that the BI Board of Commissioners issued against Shohei last February.
“He was ordered deported after the Japanese government sought our assistance in locating and arresting him, so he can be deported to his country to stand trial for his alleged crimes,” the BI Chief said.
He added that Shohei was already placed in the immigration blacklist, thus he is perpetually banned from re-entering the country for being an undesirable alien.
According to BI-FSU Acting Chief Rendel Ryan Sy, Shohei was issued an arrest warrant by a summary court in Tokyo where a case for theft was filed against him October last year.
Japanese authorities have reportedly alleged that Shohei conspired with several other accomplices in stealing money from the bank accounts of victims, whose ATM cards they obtained by misrepresenting themselves as police officers or financial service agency representatives.
The fugitive is currently detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City while awaiting deportation.
BI welcomes new deputy commissioner
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) welcomed the appointment of Deputy Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, who officially reported to the office on Monday.
Viado was welcomed by BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco and the employees of the BI on April 24.
He holds a degree on Political Science from the University of the Philippines, and graduated law from the same university. He entered the Philippine Bar in 1999.
Prior to his appointment, Viado was the partner of a law firm, in charge of its over-all administration and operation.
He began his career in law as a legal counsel of multi-national corporations engaged in construction operations all over Asia, Europe, and the United States.
He also served in the Presidential Management Staff in Malacañang during the term of then President Joseph Estrada.
He gained extensive experience both in the public and private sectors, having also served under the Congress of the Philippines.
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