In a major win for the Philippine government and the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of a high-profile Japanese fugitive believed to be the leader of a notorious transnational crime syndicate operating in Asia.
Japanese national Ryuji Yoshioka, 54, was apprehended by operatives of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) on June 4 in Angeles City, Pampanga, in a coordinated enforcement operation alongside the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Northern Luzon.
The arrest was done pursuant to a summary deportation order issued against the suspect in 2023.
“This is a significant victory not only for the BI but for the entire country,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado. “Yoshioka’s arrest is a testament to our commitment to uphold justice and protect the Philippines from becoming a haven for international fugitives. We will not allow criminals fleeing justice in their own countries to hide within our borders,” he added.
Yoshioka is reportedly the leader of the JP Dragon Syndicate, a criminal organization based in Japan and allegedly responsible for orchestrating large-scale theft and telecom fraud schemes with operational bases in Southeast Asia.
The group has been linked to a network of illicit activities that have victimized countless individuals and laundered millions in criminal proceeds.
According to official communications from the Japanese government, Yoshioka is the subject of an active warrant of arrest for theft under the Japanese Penal Code and has been declared a fugitive from justice. His presence in the country, authorities said, posed a serious threat to public safety and national security.
“This individual is a key player in an international crime group. His arrest sends a clear message that the Philippines is not a safe refuge for fugitives,” Viado emphasized.
BI records show that Yoshioka last arrived the country in 2022 and has not left since.
Following his arrest, he underwent usual booking procedures and was turned over to the BI’s warden facility where he will be held until deportation.
The Bureau commended the efforts of the FSU team, led by its Chief Rendel Ryan Sy, for their vigilance and dedication in carrying out the operation. “We are proud of our officers whose precise coordination and intelligence-driven approach made this operation successful,” added Viado.
The arrest highlights the Marcos administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and crack down on transnational crime syndicates operating within the country. President Marcos has repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order through inter-agency collaboration and aggressive enforcement of immigration laws.
