JUSTICE Assistant Secretary and concurrent spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano on Monday said authorities are now verifying the identity of the alleged mastermind behind a series of robberies in Japan.

Some of the suspects believed to be part of a robbery group are now locked up at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) detention center in Lower Bicutan, Taguig City.

“So we have to make sure, no, that we have all the facts straight para alam po natin kung anong gagawin natin (so that we will know what we should do),” Clavano said.

“But we will fully cooperate with the Japanese Embassy regarding this matter dahil alam po natin malaking issue ito sa Japan, ” he continued.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that BI is set to deport a Japanese national wanted for robberies in Japan.

According to Remulla, BI will implement the proceedings against Inamura Kiyoto “as soon as we secure the needed clearances and travel document(s).”

Kiyoto is the subject of a summary deportation order dated Jan. 30, 2020 due to cases of theft and robberies in his country.

He was charged with violation of Republic Act 9262 or Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), but was dismissed by a court in Makati City on January 26.

On the other, Kiyoto’s alleged leader, Yuri Watanabe a. k. a “Luffy,” is facing a separate criminal charge before the Pasay RTC, also for VAWC.

Luffy was also ordered for deportation for illegally entering the Philippines and charges of counterfeiting and theft in Japan.

He is believed to have remotely given instructions to those carrying out the robberies in Japan via an encrypted messaging app from an immigration facility in Manila.

Kiyoto and Luffy are being suspected as among four men detained in Manila who Japanese police have requested be deported to Japan.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas