‘Mocha Girls’ detained in Malaysia over work permit issues

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed the arrest and detention of Filipina pop group “Mocha Girls” in Kuala Lumpur.

They were arrested on September 4 but were released on Thursday, September 10, the DFA said.

They returned to Manila on Friday, September 11.

According to DFA Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, the group and their promoter were held by Malaysian immigration authorities on September 4 for working in Malaysia using a “social visit pass.”

Authorities found the group to have performed without the necessary work permit.

But they were released without having to face criminal charges.

The Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur assigned two officers to assist in releasing the group from their 6-day detention before the prescribed 14-day detention period for those facing work-permit violations.

The group said in a statement released on their Facebook page that while they were performing on September 4, Malaysian authorities raided their hotel room. “As our producer failed to produce the work permit that his contractual commitment with us mandated him [to do], we were taken into custody and detained in the Malaysian Immigration prison for 5 days,” the statement read.

According to the group, Malaysian authorities treated them “as criminals until they learned that Mocha Girls were legitimate artists and professional performers in the Philippines… some measure of courtesy and goodwill were extended to us.”

They clarified, “We were not detained for sexy performances as some would speculate. Mocha Girls’ regular venue for their performances is the international community and [we respect] the rules and culture of the country where we perform.”

The group has been performing since 2006 in the Philippines and abroad. Current members include Mocha Uson, Mary Mae Dela Cerna, Francoise Denyse Fainsan, Georgina Knight, Seika Hashizume and Khim Dueñas.

The group’s lead singer is Mocha Uson. They have released 4 albums. – Rappler.com