Japanese fugitive’s nine-year hiding in PH ends

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will deport an alleged former member of the Japanese Yakuza syndicate wanted by authorities in Japan for fraud.

Immigration Chief Jaime Morente identified the fugitive as Katsumi Ohno, 71, who had been arrested in Pasay City recently.

Ohno is currently detained at the BI jail in Bicutan, Taguig City.

He had been placed on an immigration blacklist which would prevent him from returning to Manila, Morente said.

The BI chief said the Ohno’s deportation was requested by the Japanese government last February. The Japanese Embassy in Manila had informed the BI about Ohno’s status as a fugitive from justice in Japan.

Ohno’s passport expired in November last year, making him an undocumented alien, Morente said.

BI records showed that Ohno has been hiding in the country for nine years or since April 10, 2011 when he arrived as a tourist via a flight from Hong Kong./TSB