Court in Taguig dismisses case against Japanese fugitive, clearing path for deportation
In a recent development, Toshiya Fujita, a Japanese national, has been ordered for deportation to Japan following the dismissal of a light threats case against him in a Taguig court. The dismissal of the case has paved the way for the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines to proceed with his removal.
The court's resolution to dismiss the case was based on the prosecution's motion to withdraw, which was made due to the consistent absence of the complainant. The judge, in an independent study, found no probable cause for the case against Fujita.
It was previously reported that Fujita was one of four Japanese individuals wanted by Kyodo News in Manila for a series of robbery cases. However, the court did not find probable cause against Fujita, leading to the withdrawal of the warrant of arrest issued against him.
The accusation against Fujita was based on alleged threats that happened on August 20, 2021. The court resolution states that there are no proven overt acts on the part of accused Toshiya Fujita.
The Philippines does not have an extradition treaty with Japan, meaning that Fujita will be deported to face charges in Japan. It is important to note that foreigners cannot be deported if they have pending cases in the country, according to the Philippines' immigration rules.
The complaint against Fujita was filed by a certain Francis Alcantara, a lawyer. DOJ chief Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla has stated that some lawyers may invent cases to prevent Japanese fugitives from being deported.
As of now, there are currently 17 Japanese individuals in the custody of the Bureau of Immigration, at the request of Japanese authorities. The Philippine authorities are working on deporting these individuals.
It is worth mentioning that both parties in the case made few appearances. The media has not been furnished with a copy of the court resolution. However, the dismissal of the case allows for Fujita's deportation to face charges in Japan.
This development marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to address international fugitives in the Philippines and uphold the rule of law in both countries.
The judge's independent study found no probable cause for the crime-and-justice charges against Toshiya Fujita, significantly aiding the Bureau of Immigration's general-news efforts to deport him to Japan, despite the Philippines' non-extradition treaty with Japan. The development marks a step towards addressing international fugitives and upholding the rule of law, particularly in the context of politics and the relationship between the two countries.
