Bali deports prostitutes

DENPASAR, Bali: The recent deportation of three Filipino prostitutes without trial has sparked controversy.

"They were deported because they misused their tourist visas. We deported them for the sake of the nation's image," the chief of the Bali immigration office, Lapian, said. "The whole process is all legal."

Chief of the Badung police precinct Lt. Col. C.N. Patty said yesterday the authorities did not have enough evidence to bring them to court.

Lawyer Agus Saputra challenged the police argument that they lacked evidence. "Emily was caught red-handed having sex with a man in a hotel. She admitted she received Rp 1 million ($425) for that," he said.

Meanwhile, Lapian claimed he was not involved in the process and that he learned of the deportation from the head of the local justice office.

Immigration officials identified the Filipinos as Roweina, 23, Vicki Mateo, 24, and Emily Castaneda, 29. Roweina and Vicki told police that they worked with the notorious sex trade ring controlled by Hartono, who was previously jailed for running several brothels in some major cities.

Lapian's explanation was questioned by local lawyers, who warned that the deportation without trial would set a bad precedence.

"I'm afraid immigration authorities will deport without trial drug traffickers simply because the law enforcers don't want to take pains in dealing with them," said lawyer Agus Saputra. (23/pan)