Jun Yamamoto, 36, assisted by the unidentified lady escort, had attempted to blend in with other legitimate Japanese tourists to evade being detected by immigration agents as a ranking member of the Japan-based criminal syndicate.
But sharp-eyed immigration intelligence agents took notice of Yamamoto even as he tried to engage in a conversation with another Japanese tourist to create the impression that he was with the group.
Immigration officials said Yamamoto was missing a finger on the left hand, an indication of his membership to the criminal organization. He also has tattoos covering his entire body, representing his rank in the Yakuza.
Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo has issued a standing order against allowing the entry of members of foreign-based criminal groups, saying "we don’t need these kind of foreigners coming into our country."
Meanwhile, a Japanese man wanted for robbing a pachinko parlor has been arrested over the weekend, the immigration bureau said yesterday.
Yoshihiro Oe, 35, was to be deported shortly. He was arrested Sunday in a shopping mall.
Oe allegedly stole ¥20.6 million ($171,830) from a pachinko parlor in Toyama City last Dec. 13 and fled to the Philippines on a tourist visa, which has since expired. – Rey Arquiza, AFP