Bureau of Immigration nabs Japanese fraud suspect

MANILA, Philippines - Agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently arrested a Japanese national who is wanted for fraud in his country.

Toru Detobata, 47, was arrested by BI operatives Thursday at his residence in Dagat-Dagatan, Malabon City based on a mission order issued by Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan.

In a statement, Libanan said Detobata would be deported as soon as the BI board of commissioners issues the order for his summary deportation.

He said Detobata has been hiding in the Philippines since last Aug. 19, when he arrived in Manila as a tourist.

According to BI spokesman Floro Balato Jr., Detobata is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Hirosaki Summary Court in Aomori Prefecture. Detobata allegedly used another person’s bank account to receive money from his victim to settle a fake molestation case.

Detobata was charged for violating a Japanese law concerning verification of customer’s identity by financial institutions and prevention of improper access to bank accounts, Balato said.

Balato said Detobata had planned to return to Japan last Sept. 2 but canceled his trip at the last minute after his relatives told him that Japanese policemen were already waiting for him at the Fukuoka International Airport. – Helen Flores