The Philippines has deported on Tuesday morning, February 7, two of the four suspects involved in the infamous robbery ring across Japan.
Two of the four Japanese suspects Toshiya Fujita and Kiyoto Imamura were deported to Japan while the remaining two — the alleged mastermind Yuki Watanabe and Kojima Tomonobu — will be sent back late Wednesday night.
Justice Secretary Boying Remulla led the deportation of the two Japanese nationals, who were both seen handcuffed, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday morning.
In a separate statement, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Fujita, who was arrested on February 7, is wanted in Tokyo for involvement in telecommunications fraud that victimized Japanese people.
Watanabe and Saito, meanwhile, are still facing charges of Violence against Women and their Children in court.
The Justice chief said a motion to withdraw Information (charge sheet) has already been filed before the Pasay Regional Trial Court. Once resolved and the cases are dismissed, the two Japanese nationals will be deported immediately.
Reports from the Japanese media said the suspected mastermind, Yuki Watanabe, known for his alias for his alias "Luffy" from the hugely popular manga 'One Piece,' allegedly directed the break-ins in Japan while detained at a Manila immigration facility using an encrypted messaging app.
The recovered phones have since been turned over to Japanese authorities.
Japan lauds deportation
The Japanese Embassy, in a statement, lauded the country for its 'constructive' response and cooperation on the deportation of its citizens involved in crimes.
"On January 30, the Government of Japan made anew request of early deportation of four Japanese detained at the Bureau of Immigration. We appreciate the constructive response and cooperation of the related agencies of the Philippines government to realize deportation of two of them," said embassy media relations officer Hitomi Akihiko in a statement.
