Agents from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Fugitive Search Unit, in coordination with the National Police Agency of Japan, successfully apprehended two Japanese nationals in an operation in Pasay City.
The suspects were identified as Oi Takumi, 30 years old, and Okada Sho, 27 years old. Both men allegedly conspired to carry out a financial scam by impersonating law enforcement officers. The suspects are currently at the BI Warden Facility in Muntinlupa City while a deportation case is already filed against them.
The Kokura Summary Court in Japan issued active arrest warrants against both suspects for fraud under the Japanese Penal Code. This led to a joint manhunt operation carried out by BI agents and Japanese authorities against the two fugitives.
Immigration records revealed that both suspects last entered the Philippines in January this year as temporary visitors. They failed to extend or update their stay, resulting in their classification as overstaying aliens which also serves as basis for deportation.
Japanese authorities requested the preservation of digital evidence, including mobile phones and computers, to support ongoing investigations.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the agency continues to work closely with international partners to ensure that fugitives coming to the Philippines to evade justice in their home countries are located, arrested, and deported to face the consequences of their crimes.