Two foreign “fugitives” have been arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in separate operations in Cagayan de Oro City and Olongapo City.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado identified those arrested last Oct. 15 as Japanese national Yoshihiko Kubura, 59, who was apprehended in Cagayan de Oro City, and Nigerian national John Emmanuel Obasi, 33, who was nabbed in Olongapo City.
The BI said that Kubura is wanted by the Kyoto District Court in Japan for physical injury under the Japanese Penal Code in connection with the assault of a man in a Kyoto City karaoke bar in 2013.
“Verification with the BI database showed that Kubura last arrived in the Philippines in February 2012 as a temporary visitor and has overstayed since April 2014, and also listed for being a fugitive from justice,” it said.
In the case of Obasi, the BI said that he was arrested after failing to present a valid passport or immigration documents when questioned by authorities.
It also said that the Nigerian Embassy later confirmed that he is a member of a criminal syndicate.
“According to Nigerian authorities, Obasi and his group were allegedly involved in a public shooting and hit-and-run incident resulting in death and serious injuries,” it added.
Kubura and Obasi are now detained at the BI’s facility in Taguig City pending their deportation.
“We are tightening our coordination with local and foreign law enforcement agencies to ensure that those evading justice abroad will be caught and removed from our borders,” Viado said.