2 pedophile fugitives nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — An American and a Japanese both wanted for child abuse have been arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Yuto Konno, 43, is wanted for molesting three children in 2018 in Hokkaido, Japan.

Tony Le, 37, reportedly enticed and coerced a minor to engage in sexual activity in the United States.

Authorities apprehended Konno and Le on May 12 in Cavite and May 13 in Bamban, Tarlac, respectively.

Both fugitives are being held at the BI facility in Taguig pending deportation.

On Aug. 16, 2024, the Nagoya Summary Court issued a warrant for Konno’s arrest.

Records showed that Konno arrived in the Philippines in 2019 and has been overstaying since April 2022.

Several electronic devices reportedly containing child sexual abuse or exploitation materials were seized from Konno.

Le, meanwhile, may have illegally entered the Philippines.

Verification by the BI showed that Le was barred from entering the country in February 2024 due to derogatory records connected to child sex exploitation investigations.