BI to One Direction: Post P.4-M bond

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ordered the organizers of One Direction’s concert, set this weekend, to post a P400,000 bond for two of its members who were reportedly caught using illegal drugs.

In a statement, the BI said Ovation Production will shoulder the P200,000 cash bond for Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, who were allegedly caught on video smoking marijuana in Peru last year.

The band’s three other members are Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Harry Styles. Among their hit songs are “What Makes You Beautiful,” “One Thing,” “Live While We’re Young” and “Story of My Life.”

The cash bond is a requirement for the BI to issue a special work permit in order for the boy band to perform in their two-day concert at the SM Mall of Asia.  

BI spokesperson Elaine Tan said they imposed the cash bond after the anti-drug group Laban ng Pamilyang Pilipino Inc. filed a formal letter requesting the strict scrutiny of applicants for SWP.

“The condition is intended to protect the public interest should the band members commit any violation during their stay in the Philippines,” Tan said. 

The cash bond will be forfeited in case any member of the band violates immigration rules, are caught using illegal drugs or otherwise promote the use of illegal drugs.

BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison said they expected Ovation to pay up yesterday or this morning because posting the bond “has to be done prior to the concern, preferably before their arrival.”

He added that Ovation did not object to their regulations.

The organizers “are confident that considering these people would be doing a public performance, the eyes of the public would be on them. They are confident that they would not do anything that would jeopardize their activities,” Mison said.

He said they have also coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, which might subject the band members to a drug test upon their arrival in the country. 

He admitted that since he joined the BI as its associate commissioner in June 2011, this was the first time that the agency has imposed a cash bond on performers.

“This is just to make sure these people if they want to do something illegal, they do it outside of the country,” Mison said.

He added that the BI’s action in One Direction’s case might set a precedent for future short-term engagements by foreign artists coming to the country, especially if they receive information beforehand that some of the performers are engaged in the use of illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, the boy band will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in a private plane tomorrow, said Vicente Guerzon, Manila International Airport Authority assistant manager for security emergency services.

The concert organizer has requested that there be no media coverage during the band’s arrival, he added.

Only customs, immigration, quarantine and security personnel will be allowed when the private plane parks at Ages Aviation’s hangar, Guerzon said. – With Aie Balagtas See, Rudy Santos