Four Japanese nationals who are believed to have orchestrated a string of robberies while being held in the Philippines have been formally requested to be deported by the Philippine government.
The request was filed with the Department of Justice on Monday, according to Akihiko Hitomi, the public relations officer for the Japanese embassy.
Hitomi said the deportation petition was for “four people,” but the embassy couldn’t give her any more information or tell her who they were.
According to news reports in Japan, four Japanese people have been accused of planning at least 14 robberies in different parts of Japan from a detention center in the Philippines.
The accused would communicate with their accomplices in Japan through encrypted messaging software.
Among the incidents under investigation is the January 19 murder of a 90-year-old woman in a Tokyo neighborhood. More than 30 individuals have reportedly already been detained in Japan, according to a Reuters report.
Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla informed local and Japanese journalists at a press conference on Monday that he will meet with representatives from the Japanese embassy to examine the situation.
“The requests came way back in 2019. We just took over to expedite,” DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said.
Remulla claimed that the Philippine government currently possessed some confiscated mobile devices.
PH to deport 4 detained Japanese involved in robberies
Imamura Kiyoto and Yuki Watanabe, the allegedly responsible parties, were apprehended in 2019 and 2021, respectively. The two may be using the identity “Luffy,” which was given to them by the Japanese manga character “One Piece,” according to Japanese police.
According to the 24 Oras report, the suspect detained in 2021 was taken into custody on suspicion of breaking the Violence Against Women and Children Act. Only Watanabe is currently facing a local case out of the four suspects. Remulla said that Philippine prosecutors could send Watanabe back to Japan if the case turned out to be a waste of time.
Remulla stated that all four could be deported in “10 to 12 days or early” if all legal procedures were completed.
The police will also look into whether someone in the jail is working with the suspects to give them access to smartphones while they are being held.
Although no extradition agreement exists between the Philippines and Japan, suspects can be handed over once the legal process is complete.
According to Kyodo News, the four people have arrest warrants from the Japanese police for fraud.
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