MANILA, Feb. 1 -- 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 domest...