THE Bureau of Immigration yesterday said the identity of the Japanese tagged as a certain “Luffy,” who is allegedly behind a series of robberies in Japan and is currently detained in the country, has yet to be ascertained.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla released a briefer yesterday confirming that a certain Yuki Watanabe is under the BI’s custody following his arrest on April 19, 2021.
BI spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval explained that there are 17 Japanese currently detained in the BI’s detention center in Bicutan, Taguig City and there is no official confirmation yet which one of them is “Luffy.”
“My apologies, we are unable to give a statement until his identity and further details about the case are confirmed by the appropriate agencies,” Sandoval said.
“It might be dangerous or unfair for other detainees if we release information about them and they end up not being connected to this case,” she added.
Based on the DOJ briefer, Remulla said Watanabe is also known as “Luffy” per information provided by Japanese police.
Watanabe is allegedly the leader of a robbery gang responsible for a series of robberies in his country, who reportedly gave instructions to his cohorts through an encrypted messaging app while in detention at the BI detention facility.
Remulla said Watanabe has a summary deportation order dated May 28, 2021 for being an illegal entrant and a fugitive from justice in connection with the use of counterfeit documents and theft charges in Japan but his deportation is pending due to a case lodged against him before a Pasay City court for violation of the Violence against Women and Children Act.
The DOJ briefer also said that Imamura Kiyoto, also an alleged member of the robbery gang, is currently under BI custody and facing summary deportation proceedings. His deportation is also on hold as he also faces the same case with Watanabe.
Sandoval said the BI is expecting clarity on the case and identify of “Luffy” within the week.
Remulla also said they are coordinating with the Japanese Embassy in Manila to fully confirm the identities of Japanese under the BI’s custody who are involved in crimes in Japan.
“As to the question if there are people in detention who are responsible for crimes committed under Japanese jurisdiction, I can’t answer that. The only ones who can answer that are Japanese police authorities,” Remulla added.
He said he is set to meet with the Japanese ambassador today and will likely discuss the possibility of deporting Japanese involved in the crimes, adding the DOJ will push for the immediate resolution of the issue in recognition of the good relationship between Manila and Tokyo.
“Knowing how important Japan is to the Philippines, we want to solve this problem as early as possible,” he added.
The DOJ chief earlier ordered the BI to confiscate any communication devices from detainees in its detention facility.
