A 38-year-old Japanese fugitive was arrested inside the Bureau of Immigration (BI) while he was applying to extend his visa last Friday.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado on Tuesday identified the fugitive as Koizumi Haruki, who was intercepted while transacting his visa extension at the bureau's main office in Intramuros.

"The vigilance of our frontline personnel once again proved crucial in protecting our country from foreign fugitives. This arrest reflects the seamless coordination among our operating units and our steadfast partnership with foreign law enforcement agencies," said Viado.

"We will continue to ensure that the Philippines is never a safe haven for fugitives. Those who attempt to hide here to evade justice abroad will be found, arrested, and sent home to answer for their crimes," he added.

According to BI, Japanese authorities had informed them that Koizumi is the subject of an arrest warrant for violating Japan's Law on the Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds issued by Nagoya Summary Court.

The bureau's records also confirmed that Koizumi had been blacklisted as an undesirable foreign national.

The Japanese fugitive was later turned over to the BI’s holding facility, where he will remain pending deportation proceedings. Robina Asido/PHS