Bureau of Immigration (BI) fugitive search unit (FSU) operatives arrested on Thursday a Japanese man for being allegedly a member of the notorious Luffy syndicate.

The operation is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s drive to ensure that foreign fugitives are arrested, deported, and banned from entering the Philippines.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the subject as Ohnishi Kentaro, 47, who was arrested along Friendship Highway, Barangay Cutcut, Angeles City. The operation was conducted in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Ohnishi was tagged as an undesirable alien after the BI received information from the Japanese government that an arrest warrant was issued by the Tokyo Summary Court in 2022 for theft in violation of the Japanese Penal Code.

The suspect and his accomplices allegedly stole ATM cards by posing as law enforcement officers, deceiving elderly victims into surrendering their bank cards and personal information under the guise of a police investigation. This resulted in the group making unauthorized ATM withdrawals, amassing a substantial amount of stolen assets.

Ohnishi is one of the remaining members of the Luffy syndicate, which was severely weakened following a series of operations conducted by the BI FSU. According to Japanese authorities, the syndicate generated over ¥1 billion in illicit proceeds from theft, fraud, and other illegal activities.

He will remain in the BI’s custody while facing deportation proceedings. BI Communications