Cagayan de oro: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday reported the back-to-back arrests of foreign fugitives wanted by their respective governments, following successive operations recently by the agency’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in Cagayan de Oro and Olongapo City.

According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated in a news release that the first operation, conducted with the Philippine National Police, BI Regional Intelligence Unit 10, and Japanese authorities, led to the arrest of Japanese national Yoshihiko Kubura in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City on October 15. Kubura, who also uses the alias Yoshihiko Tashiro, 59, is wanted by the Kyoto District Court for violating the Japanese Penal Code after assaulting a man in a Kyoto City karaoke bar in 2013, resulting in facial fractures for the victim. His arrest followed a formal request from the Japanese government for his deportation.

Verification with the BI database revealed that Kubura arrived in the Philippines in February 2012 as a temporary visitor and has overstayed since April 2014. He is also listed in the Bureau’s Watchlist and Blacklist Orders for being a fugitive from justice. Later that day, FSU agents launched another enforcement operation at a resort in Olongapo City, in coordination with National Bureau of Investigation agents from the National Capital Region and Olongapo.

Officers intercepted a foreign national later identified as John Emmanuel Obasi, 33, a Nigerian who was later confirmed by his embassy as a member of a criminal syndicate operating locally. 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. He failed to present a valid passport or immigration documents when questioned by authorities.

Both fugitives were brought to the BI’s detention facility in Taguig City for booking and documentation pending deportation proceedings. Viado noted that the two operations reflect the government’s firm stance under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. against transnational crimes and the presence of fugitives who use the Philippines as a hideout.