BI intercepts wanted Japanese national
The Bureau also learned that the suspect was said to be working as a fraudulent caller for a criminal group victimizing his compatriots while he was overseas.
The Bureau of Immigration on Friday disclosed that its operatives at the Ninoy Aquino International Terminal 3 apprehended a Japanese national wanted for theft while attempting to leave the country.
BI commissioner Norman Tansingco narrated that the suspect — identified as Saito Shimoeda — attempted to depart the country via a Cebu Pacific flight bound for Nagoya, Japan on 16 November.
He added that the suspect has resorted to alarming tactics during departure formalities, intentionally bumping his head on the immigration counter and feigning distress after noticing that the immigration personnel found out that he was on the alert list order.
The BI chief also said that the duty supervisor confirmed that Shimoeda is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Tokyo Summary Court for being part of a large-scale telecom fraud group.
He added that they learned that the suspect was said to be working as a fraudulent caller for a criminal group victimizing his compatriots while he was overseas.
Records also showed that Shimoeda entered the Philippines in 2019 and has since eluded arrest.
“The incident serves as a stern warning to foreign fugitives that the Philippines is not a safe haven for those attempting to escape legal repercussions in their home countries,” Tansingco said.
“We urge foreign nationals to respect Philippine laws and (we) warn that the government is committed to cooperating with international authorities to ensure the swift and just resolution of such cases,” he added.
The arrested fugitive has been blacklisted and is now classified as an undesirable alien by Philippine immigration authorities.
Shimoeda is now temporarily detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending the implementation of his deportation.