Court hearings will be held on Monday in the Philippine capital, Manila, that can clear the way for the handover of two of four Japanese men suspected of involvement in a series of robberies in Tokyo and other parts of the country.

The four men are being held at an immigration facility in Metro Manila. Trial procedures are under way for two of them, accused of committing violence against women.

The two men cannot be extradited unless the court dismisses their cases.

If dismissed, the Philippine government could deport all four men as early as Tuesday.

An attorney for the two men told NHK on Sunday that he will handle the case abiding by the legal process and will leave the matter of deportation to state officials.

Meanwhile, a Philippine immigration bureau officer told NHK that giving and receiving of money was a frequent practice between facility staff and detainees.

The officer said it was done through eye-to-eye contact and he also illicitly received money because he felt bad if he could not bring home a certain amount of money.

He said it was easy money because some foreign nationals want privileges under detention.