(UPDATE) Japanese fugitive hiding 29 yrs deported from Baguio

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Bureau of Immigration announced today that it had deported a Japanese fugitive who had been hiding in a northern city for the past 29 years.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Siegfred Mison identified the fugitive as Dobashi Masatoshi, 49, who was undocumented alien since July 1995.

Masatoshi alias "Tsuchibashi Masatoshi" has a standing warrant for four offenses which include theft, counterfeiting of public documents, uttering of counterfeit private documents and fraud in his hometown, according to the Japan Embassy.

After 29 years of hiding, immigration operatives apprehended Masatoshi when he was selling Japanese food in Harrison Night Market Place in Baguio City in December last year.

Masatoshi was escorted by three BI personnel when he was deported via Japan Airlines International flight to Japan.