By Jun Ramirez

Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents have arrested a Japanese national wanted by his government for infringement of the Copyright Law.

BI fugitive search unit (FSU) chief Bobby Raquepo identified the fugitive as 28-year-old Romi Hoshino a.k.a. Zakay Romi, who was arrested Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

According to Raquepo, Hoshino was the manager of “Manga-Mura,” an illegal viewing website of Japanese cartoons, popularly known as Manga, which operated from January 2016 to April 2018.

The Association of Copyrights of Japan estimated Manga-Mura’s cost of damages to be around 320 billion yen ($2.9 billion), which was said to be the worst violation in the history of the Copyright Law of Japan.

Raquepo said Hoshino was arrested based on a mission order issued by BI Commissioner Jaime Morente following a request from the Embassy of Japan in Manila.

“His presence in the country is a risk to public safety and security,” said Morente.

“We are in close coordination with our foreign counterparts who send us information about criminals who might be hiding in the Philippines,” the BI chief added.

Hoshino is now detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings.