Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested a Japanese hiding in the country to escape prosecution in Japan for alleged large-scale estafa.
BI Commissioner Ricardo A. David Jr. identified the fugitive as 45-year-old Ryuchi Ohira, who is now detained at the BI jail in Bicutan, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings.
Operatives of the BI fugitive search unit nabbed Ohira last November 21 in a house on Dr. J. Garbriel St. in Paranaque City.
David said he ordered Ohira’s arrest upon the request of the Japanese Embassy in Manila that sought the bureau’s help in locating and deporting the fugitive.
He added that the Japanese will be deported as soon as the BI board of commissioners issues the order for his expulsion.
Lawyer Maria Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang, BI acting intelligence chief, said Ohira is wanted by district court in Kofu, Japan where he was charged with fraud and falsification of sealed private documents.
Ohira was accused of withdrawing 500,000 yen from the postal savings account of another Japanese by falsifying the withdrawal slip and signature of the depositor.
Mangrobang said Ohira has been on the wanted list of the Japanese police since September last year when the Japanese court issued a warrant for his arrest. (Jun Ramirez)
