2 more Japanese suspects in 'Luffy' robbery case arrested

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 11) — Local authorities have arrested two more suspects in the so-called Luffy robbery case in Japan.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Japanese nationals Fujita Kari, 24, and Kumai Hitomi, 25, were arrested in BF Homes in Parañaque City on Friday.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the two have standing warrants of arrest issued by the Tokyo Summary Court in September last year for theft in violation of the Japanese Penal Code.

"This is a major breakthrough in the case, as we have finally arrested more suspects involved in this major case in Japan," Tansingco said. "They will finally be facing their crimes in their homeland."

The BI has tagged Fujita and Kumai as undesirable aliens. They have been moved to the agency's facility in Taguig City pending their deportation.

Alleged robbery ringleader Yuki Watanabe - who Japanese authorities believe to be "Luffy" - was deported last month, along with three other Japanese fugitives involved in the case.