Taguig Court says case vs. Japanese fugitive dismissed

MANILA — The Taguig Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) said yesterday that a case against Toshiya Fujita, one of the Japanese fugitives whose deportation is being sought by the Japanese government, has been dismissed.

In an ambush interview, Taguig MeTC Branch 116 clerk of court Merly Pagkalinawan said the case for light threat against Toshiya was dismissed on Wednesday, February 1.

Pagkalinawan said the court received a motion to withdraw information from the Office of the Prosecution.

“The motion to withdraw stated the ground that there is a consistent absence on the part of the private complainant. However, the court made an independent study, a revisit of the probable cause, and finds that there is none,” Pagkalinawan said.

“That is the reason why the motion is granted and it has the effect of a dismissal of the case,” she added.

The Japanese government has requested the deportation of Toshiya, Yuki Watanabe, Kiyoto Imamura, and Tomonobu Kojima, according to the Japan Times. However, Philippine authorities said they cannot deport individuals with pending cases.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the light threat case against Fujita was the last document they were looking for.

“Yes, that’s included. That light threats case dismissed on February 1 is actually the last document we’re looking for Fujita. So he can leave already,” Remulla said in a separate ambush interview.

According to Pagkalinawan, the judge found no probable cause as there were no “overt acts” on the part of the accused.

She also said Toshiya and the complainant never appeared in court.

“None of the parties appeared, the complainant, the accused, even if there is counsel representing them, there are no appearances,” she said.

After they failed to appear for the second time, she said the court issued an arrest warrant. However, this was lifted after the case was dismissed.

Imamura’s alleged leader, Yuki Watanabe or alias “Luffy,” has a summary deportation order dated May 28, 2021 for charges of using counterfeit official marks and theft.

The Department of Justice earlier said the Bureau of Immigration will implement the Summary Deportation Order “as soon as we secure the needed clearances and travel documents.”

Earlier, representatives from the Japanese Embassy in Manila met with Remulla to request the deportation of four of its nationals, including “Luffy,” allegedly involved in a string of robberies in Japan.