PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING. Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Neal Imperial of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs holds a pre-departure briefing for the Malacanang Press Corps on Wednesday (Feb. 1, 2023) regarding President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s working visit to Japan. He said the Philippines and Japan are expected to sign seven key bilateral documents or agreements and reaffirm their strong relations during Marcos' visit to Tokyo from Feb. 8 to 12. (PNA photo by Alfred Frias) MANILA - The deportation of Japanese nationals behind a robbery ring in Japan is a consular matter already being handled by Manila and Tokyo, and would not be raised during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s upcoming visit to Japan. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Neal Imperial said the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to work on the case with the Japanese government, which had earlier asked the Philippines to deport four people. "We don't think it will affect in any way the visit of the President and we don't expect it to be raised during his meeting with his counterpart," he said in a Malacanang presser on Wednesday. Imperial said Manila would follow the timeline of deportation proceedings in accordance with domestic laws. Japanese media had reported that the suspected mastermind Yuki Watanabe, also known as "Luffy", had allegedly directed the break-ins in Japan using an encrypted messaging app while detained at a Manila immigration facility. On Tuesday, the DOJ said it sought to deport at least two of the four by the end of the week. (PNA) }