The case of Japanese fugitives, including the one known as "Luffy," will not affect President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s official working visit to Japan on the second week of February
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Neal Imperial said Wednesday that the matter is already being handled by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Imperial said the case, which relates to "Luffy" and three other Japanese fugitives who are behind a series of robberies in Japan despite detention at the Bureau of Immigration (BI), is "totally unrelated" to Marcos' trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.
"This is a consular matter being handled by the Department of Justice and the Japanese Embassy here, and our embassy in Japan with the Ministry of Justice of Japan," the diplomat said in a press conference.
Imperial said the Philippines will follow the timeline of deportation proceedings of the Japanese individuals in accordance with the Philippine laws.
"We do not expect it to be raised during his meeting with his counterpart," he added.