President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attends a dinner meeting hosted by businesspeople from Japan and the Philippines on Wednesday, the first of his five-day official working visit to Japan. Marcos is expected to meet with members of Japan’s Imperial Family and the Prime Minister on Thursday. (Screenshot from RTVM)
TOKYO, Japan — The timing of the deportation of high-profile Japanese fugitives and his official working visit to Japan are only coincidental, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.
Marcos during an interview with reporters while en route to Tokyo was asked if the deportation of the four Japanese fugitives — said to be involved in remotely running a robbery syndicate while inside Philippine detention facilities — was an act of goodwill.
In response, the Chief Executive clarified that there were already efforts to deport the four even before the Japan trip was scheduled.
“Well, it was actually in the process already before the Japan trip was even planned. Nagkataon lang na — it was just by coincidence that it happened,” he said.
He admitted however that there was a request from the Japanese government to deport the fugitives, adding that it would help “clear the decks” during the discussions that he will have with Japanese authorities.
“[…] It was a request from the Japanese government and so we are always going to acquiesce to that request. We thought perhaps it would clear the decks as it were for the talks that we will have with the Japanese,” Marcos explained.
“Well, we basically follow the same criteria as an extradition. Although hindi na natin ginawang extradition kasi ang request nila para mas mabilis mag-deport na lang (we didn’t do an extradition so that the deportation would happen the soonest). So that’s precisely what we did,” he added.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) last Friday said two of the four Japanese fugitives detained in the country were cleared for deportation, while two others still have pending cases in the Philippines for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9262 or the Violence Against Women and their Children Act.
The Japanese government has sought the deportation of the fugitives, who are accused of running the syndicate through encrypted messaging. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that it would clear distractions for Marcos’ visit to Japan.
Marcos, meanwhile, is in Japan from February 8 to 12 for a series of engagements with officials and business people, with talks said to be revolving around infrastructure development, defense cooperation, agriculture, and other industries.
He will then have several business meetings on Friday, and will meet members of the press and the Filipino community on Sunday, before leaving for Manila.