Bali deports prostitutes

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)