Corrupt Indonesia

I was a delegate at the UN prepcon 4 meeting held in Bali, Indonesia from May 27 to June 7, 2002 for the UN-World Summit on Sustainable Development.

I arrived in Manado around 12:20 p.m. May 22 by Air Philippines from Davao City. I passed through Immigration around 1 p.m. and presented my passport with a valid Indonesian Visa. The Immigration personnel looked at and then returned my passport and said "okay".

As I returned to the Philippines on June 5, 2002, Immigration harassed and intimidated me, saying I was not be permitted to leave for home. I was locked inside a room, and two personnel interrogated me as my plane was about to depart for Davao City.

I asked them what the problem was. The two personnel said, "there is a big big big problem because you are entering Indonesia without permission". "But we can help you, as we have to report it to our central office in Jakarta you have to pay 20 to 25 million rupiah."

Later, one personnel asked how much money I had. I said, I have only 200 U.S. dollars. He said, "that's okay". And due to fear, I was forced to pay 200 Euros without even a temporary receipt. Later after stamping my passport when I paid, one officer rejected the euro dollars, saying they needed U.S. dollars. I said I had only euro dollars. Later they agreed.

After I got inside the room, I passed by immigration where another officer asked wala pera or do you have money? I said, I had no money.

I am writing this in the service of the people.

TITO NATIVIDAD FIEL

Coordinator DIOPIM Committee

on Mining Issues

(DCMI) G/F, Diocesan

Pastoral Center

Dipolog City

The Philippines