NHK has learned that officials from the Philippines and Japan will soon discuss the handover of Japanese nationals who are suspected of involvement in a string of robberies.

The suspects are believed to have orchestrated the robberies in Japan from the Philippines.

Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told NHK on Sunday that talks on the matter will take place in coming days.

Japanese police have requested that Philippine authorities hand over four or five people now being held at an immigration facility in greater Manila.

The suspects include Watanabe Yuki and Imamura Kiyoto. At least one of them is thought to be a main organizer of the robberies who used the alias "Luffy."

Police believe that "Luffy" gave instructions to robbers across Japan through social media. They have not confirmed if the alias was used by a single person or multiple people.

Investigators believe that groups linked to "Luffy" were involved in robberies in at least 14 prefectures. Police had obtained arrest warrants for the suspects for their alleged involvement in separate cases.

Authorities in the Philippines say Imamura can be transferred to Japan as soon as the necessary paperwork has been completed.

But they indicated that Watanabe cannot be handed over before completing legal procedures in a separate criminal case pending against him in the Philippines.