Chris Brown barred from leaving Manila – here’s why

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) Chris Brown was prevented from flying out of Manila on Wednesday, July 22 due to a lookout bulletin order (LBO) from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

This is in reaction to an alleged breach of agreement by Brown given that he was originally set to perform in the Philippines at a New Year’s Eve concert at the Philippine Arena in 2014. At the time, Brown said he had to cancel because he claimed he lost his passport. (READ: Chris Brown no-show at PH New Year concert)

In a letter addressed to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Glicerio Santos IV, chief legal counsel of Iglesia ni Cristo and chief operating officer of Maligaya Development Corporation, wrote to request the prosecution of a criminal complaint against Brown and John Michael Roda. According to the letter, Roda was the one who was asked by MDC to bring the artist to the Philippines. MDC manages Ciudad de Victoria, where the Philippine Arena is located. According to the letter, Brown and Roda are the subjects of an estafa complaint. 

“After making representations that Mr Brown would perform thereat, and after having fully paid for both their services, Mr Brown failed to appear and perform at the concert, to the damage and prejudice of MDC.  

“We would appreciate any assistance you can provide to us to protect the interest of MDC, and ultimately, to serve as an example to producers and talents who employ such fraudulent schemes to obtain money from legitimate businesses in the country,” read the letter. 

Brown tweeted this on Wednesday evening, but the tweet became unavailable shortly after it was posted. 

“Don’t believe everything you read. It’s a misunderstanding between Phil Casey and the promoters. Hopefully this will be resolved shortly.” Phil Casey is a long-time concert agent, according to Variety. 

Brown held a concert in Manila on Tuesday, July 21 at the Mall of Asia arena, and was supposed to leave via private plane from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the afternoon the next day. (READ: Chris Brown greets PH fans)

But Brown was advised to secure clearance from the DOJ. According to an ABS-CBN report, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed that the DOJ issued a LBO against Brown.

Persons placed under Immigration’s lookout bulletin order must “obtain an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) before they can be allowed to depart from the Philippines.”

The order merely directs the BI to be on the ‘lookout’ and take prudent steps to verify on the status of the criminal case against the subjects. 

For foreign nationals, the ILB requires subjects to obtain the ECC, pursuant to Section 22-A of the Philippine Immigration Act, to ensure that the foreign national has no pending obligations in the Philippines. – Rappler.com