Babbu Mann's reaction on detention in Philippines

Manila - The Philippines immigration who illegally arrested a famous Indian actor/singer with his performers while doing a charity fundraiser in Pasay city for Yolanda victims.

The famous actor/singer known as "Babbu Maan" is the equivelant of Elvis Presly in India and is followed by millions.

The 15 member Indian performers had visited Manila in a Pacific tour to promote charity for Yolanda victims, when Philippines immigration swooped in on them after the show on December 4., the performers manager had arranged all the necessary permits but immigration agents demanded money from the manager, when he refused, they arrested all the performers and took them to immigration Bicutan detention center, where they remained locked up with other Indians.

"The detention center is over capacity and we were forced to sleep on the floor like dogs. We were treated like criminals" stated Babbu Maan.

"Babbu Maan" stated that they have traveled to cities all over the world and this was the first time they have ever encountered such problems, that the bold approach of immigration agents demanding money has never happened before.

Babbu Maan said "This will be our last visit ever to the Philippines and i will make sure that India knows how Philippines immigration treats foreigners!"

Babbu Mann illegally arrested by Philippines Immigration

Manila - Babbu Maan & his band were arrested for holding a benefit concert for  “Typhoon Yolanda” victims without a work permit, the Bureau of Immigration said Friday.

Babbu Maan & his band held a concert on Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay, said Immigration Officer-in-Charge Siegfred Mison.

Maan and his company appeared to have engaged in gainful activity  by performing in a revenue generating concert on Tuesday December 4 without procuring a Special Working Permit  from the Philippine government,” said Miso.

He said ticket for the concert were sold at P2,500 to P3,500.

An Immigration supervisor had informed Maan  and his band  when they arrived Tuesday about the requirements needed for performances by foreign artists in the country. But Mison said Maan’s group ignored the reminder.

The Immigration has relaxed its rules for foreigners wanting to raise funds for  “Typhoon Yolanda” victims. But Immigration Spokesperson Maria Angelica Pedro said there was also no indication in the ticket that it was a benefit concert.

Babbu Maan and his group will remain at the Immigration’s holding center in Bicutan pending a deportation order.

More to come.....

Immigration officials take 2.5 million Philippine payoff to release Indian performers

In various new statements issued by OIC Commissioner Siegfred Mison stated that the Indian performers held at Bicutan Immigration detention center would be held until their deportation was processed.

Payoff to BI officials to release the 12 Indian performers that were arrested the amount paid is $5000 USD per Indian. These subject Indians would not be deported as stated earlier by OIC Siegfred Mison. The events are as follows;

December 04, Famous Indian Actor/singer Babbu Maan and his 13 performers are arrested after a show at Pasay city.

December 05, the 14 Indian performers are brought to Bicutan Immigration detention center in Taguig city.

December 05, at 11:30pm, Babbu Maan is released and escorted by 2 immigration gaurds to a hotel room.

December 06, at 7:30am, OIC Comm. Siegfred Mison visits Bicutan Immigration center and meets with acting warden Rev De La Cruz.

December 06, at 12:00pm, Babbu Maan is visited at his hotel room by 2 immigration officials to negotiate the release of the 11 performers, Babbu Maan negotiates for 2.5 million php to be paid, he is then escorted by the 2 immigration gaurds to the bank to withdraw the funds. The payoff is then given to the 2 BI officials.

December 06, at 9:00pm, 11 indian performers are released from Bicutan immigration detention center and brought to hotel to join Babbu Maan.

Immigration officials in a matter of 6 hours from issuing a statement that the Indian performers would remain in custody at Bicutan detention center until deportation is processed, have issued releases and freed the 12 Indian performers to leave at their leisure.

The shows promoter and another Indian staff remain at Bicutan detention center.

In an earlier post, details were given about an Indian businessman who was released after paying 2.2 million php payoff, here again we have revealed where Indians are being targeted by Immigration officials for reason that they pay enormous amounts of bribe money so they can be released.


Meanwhile B.S. Ghuman president of NRI Law Group, Canada urged Philippines immigration authorties to release the singer along with crew at the earliest. He also seeked Indain high commission quick intervention on this matter.