My Traumatic Experience as an Alleged DRUG TRAFFICKER in Bali Indonesia

For first time readers..
My name is Chyng Reyes. I graduated with a degree of Electronics and Communications Engineering in a state university in Intramuros. I work in a BPO company in MoA complex as part of Systems Development team. Im a blogger who frequently travels.
And Im an individual who has never taken prohibited drugs.

mga BINTANG-ero kayo!


My friend Dyanie and I planned an SG-Bali trip for our birthdays. We took Airphil's Manila-SG flight last May 26, 2011.

Dyanie was held in the Immigration simply because she cant present her company ID. She was suspected na mag-paiwan sa SG to work, and never return to Pinas. This experience alone was heart pounding- though it's only a matter of being approved and being declined to fly to SG. So what more if it's a matter of life and death...


Last May 28, we flew from SG to Bali via Airasia.
Airasia's airbus was full of different nationalities. But Dyanie and I were the only Filipinos on board. We landed in Denpasar airport at almost 11:40pm. We lined up in the Xray machines for our luggage to be scanned.

The moment the officer saw my Philippine passport - he carried my luggage. He asked me "is this yours?" I said yes. I started thinking what could be wrong with my luggage..
Then the officer scanned our hands too. We don't have any idea what's that for so we asked him. He answered "secret".


After he scanned our hands with that stick, he looked at me and said "come and follow me." He looked at Dyan and said "you also."

omg. what's wrong?!


So in front of all passengers of Airasia that night, kami pa ni Dyan ang mukhang may drugs! We followed the officer because we dont have a choice. We obeyed him, as if we already did something wrong. All other passengers were staring at us..

syet.. anong meron sa bag ko. at anong marks ang nakita nya sa kamay namin? kinabahan ako. this inst just the usual immigration thing. i felt this is something serious!


We entered the holding room. There were 3 officers inside. 2 males and a lady officer.
"Meet my Filipina friend. She was caught hiding packs of heroins in her luggage"
said the officer. Sabay turo sa picture frames sa wall nila. It seemed like a gallery of recently caught drug traffickers all over the world. He also reminded me that DEATH is the PENALTY of those drug traffickers.

Paksyet. It's a matter of life and death in the hands of these Indonesian Police Officers. Im 100% sure Dyan and I were clean!


They offered something to drink but we refused.
Yoko nga, baka dahil jan sa drinks na yan magkaron pa ng drugs substance sa katawan namin..


"Do you know her?" asked the officer as he was pointing to the girl in the picture frame. - I answered no.
"Did you take drugs?" - Of course not!
"Did you have drugs hidden in your body?" - What?! Never!

nagpanting yung tenga ko. galit na galit ako. at the same time nalungkot. bakit ganun, tagged na ang pinoys as drug traffickers dahil sa kasalanan ng iilan..


"Let's check your bag".
The officer searched my things thoroughly. I was just looking at him. He checked every compartment of my luggage too.


Ang lakas ng kaba ng dibdib ko. I knew he could frame me up. At wala na kong laban if that happens. Nasa teritoryo nila kami.
Ansama sama ng loob ko. Dahil lang Pinoy kami, instant suspect na agad kami.


After he messed with all my things and found nothing, I asked the officer what could be wrong and why was he checking us. He just answered "because the 2 of you are beautiful girls."

putangina mo, nakikipag-cooperate kami sa inyo. naabala at napahiya na kami kanina pa. kaya sana sumagot ka ng maayos kung may tinatanong kami.


For the 3rd time, we went outside the holding room to scan my luggage. I was really very nervous (and irritated). I could imagine him almost saying that he found something in my bag. Remember, he was holding my bag all the time. I never had the chance to touch it again..

you dont trust us. and we dont trust you either. ang advantage lang, nasa Indonesia tayo. at kayo ang may authority.


Now they looked at Dyan.

"Are you hiding drugs inside your body?" No!
"Why is your belly big?"

My friend was offended. But she answered politely. "Because I'm fat. And in case you don't see, my arms and legs are proportion to every part of my body."
The lady officer wasn't convinced, she ordered a body check on her.



as narrated by Dyan:
Gusto ko man magsabi ng ayoko ng body check, wala akong nagawa. Bansa nila yan. So sunod lang ako sa gusto nila. Pumasok kami sa Body Check Room. Inikot ko yung mata ko to check if there are surveillance cameras. Tapos ni-lock ko yung pinto. Tinanong ko si lady officer kung bakit namin to ginagawa. May 3 pinay daw na nahulihan ng drugs sa loob ng tyan nila. Sympre di ko alam kung totoo nga yun. Pinahubad nya ko ng damit. As in HUBAD lahat. Body search. Pero ang only body part na hinawakan nya ay ang tyan ko. Pero nakaka-harassed pa din. Wala naman siyang nakitang kakaiba sakin.



no offense pero meron ba silang extensive training na by just touching a body part malalaman na kung may drugs dun? ang hirap maniwala. they never had hightech machines to start with. and why cant they even afford a drug-sniffing dog?! mayabang lang sila. pero wala silang masyadong alam.


Now back in the holding room, I was with the other 2 male officers. They started bragging that they captured all the drug traffickers in the picture frames. Im still not sure what will happen next as they deprived us from telling anything.

What now!? gusto nyo lang may mapatunayan kayo at may madagdag kayong picture jan sa wall nyo?!


Im so proud of Dyan. She went back in the room and still didnt breakdown. I knew I will start crying too if I see her terrified.
pero sa totoong buhay daw, sobrang takot na nya na masesetup kami.
Dyan said I dont look scared at all too. I just look very irritated.
pero sa totoo lang, nafi-feel kong anytime sasabihin ng officers na may nakita sila sa bag namin at ibibintang nila na sa amin yun.. at di na kami makakauwi ng Pinas. =(


========

Yes, the policemen could frameup us.

Just like what has been featured in National Geographic's Locked Up Abroad.
Locked Up Abroad tells true stories and first hand experiences of unsuspecting travelers who embarked on what they thought would be a vacation, only to barely make it home alive.

This is a must watch.



Chris Parnell was arrested in Bali, Indonesia while on vacation with his family and friend, Doggy. He was accused of smuggling 12 kilos of hashish. Went to prison for 11 years!

source: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/locked-up-abroad/4385/Overview#tab-Videos/06671_00

========


After 1.5 hours, they finally let us go. Wala silang nakita. They thanked us for being cooperative pero di ko pinansin yung hand shake offer nila. Galit na galit ako. Pero alam ko bawal ako magsalita. Hindi rin sila nagsorry sa abala na ginawa nila. Para san pa, wala na kaming gana na pumasok ng Bali. Sirang sira yung bakasyon namin dahil sa ganitong pagwelcome nila sa Pinoy.
Sabagay their sorry wont be enough. Kulang yan sa kahihiyan, sobrang takot, trauma, at paranoia na inabot namin dahil sa kanila. Ang sama sama ng loob ko. Putangina nyo!


We met the hotel driver who's been waiting for us since 11:40PM. We finally got out of the airport at 1:30AM. I thanked the driver for waiting for us. He wasn't surprised that we were the last to go out. Sabi nya, kapag Pinoy chinecheck daw muna.


Ah ganun..
Dahil lang may mga Pinoy na drug trafficker, lahat ng Pinoy drug traffickers na agad?!


So it's also fair to call all Indonesian Policemen RAPISTS?!


Indonesian Policemen RAPISTS!
http://en.rian.ru/Religion/20100114/157540293.html



Indonesian Policeman CHILD RAPIST!
http://arsipberita.com/show/indonesia-police-rapes-nine-yr-old-girl-206964.html




How about call all Policemen DRUG DEALERS because of this?

Indonesian Officers DRUG DEALERS
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/anti-narcotics-officers-busted-for-drugs/442310




Or can I tag all Indonesian ADDICTS sabagay 51 thousand locals nila ay junkies?

51 Thousand Drug Addict Indonesians
http://equal-life.blogspot.com/2009/05/thousands-of-people-die-in-indonesia.html



..a dose of their own medicine..

I hope if an Indonesian visits Pinas, ma-tag din sila as RAPISTS, DRUG DEALERS, and ADDICTS instantly! Maramdaman nila sana yung treatment nila samin.. Yan ang rules nila di ba?


Sa sobrang takot ni Dyanie, she cried to sleep that night. Tulala. Di nagsasalita.
Sa sobrang galit ko, di ako nakatulog. I started vomiting. Hinika ako sa sama ng loob.
Wala pa kaming 2 oras sa Bali pero gustong gusto na namin umuwi ng Pinas.
We felt we were unwelcomed visitors.


Putangina nyo! Naging praning na kami everytime may police kaming makikita. Or everytime dadaan kaming xray, iba na ang kabog ng dibdib namin. Gabi gabi, paulit ulit na naming pinapagpag ang bawat damit namin - just to check na walang naisingit na drugs sa gamit namin. We're so traumatized that we wont be planning to go out of the country anytime soon.

DEATH for DRUG TRAFFICKERS
and it wont matter if the DRUGS found is really yours
ako na ang praning



We swore not to go back to Indonesia again. We already suffered a lot.
We regret the day we entered this country.

And if you are planning to go to Bali too, well good luck. The next suspect could be you.

..yes you may share this post.



Updated: 06/03/2011

All I wanted is to write my traumatic experience, and to warn my co-Pinoy travelers, specially those who travel solo, that they could be the next "random suspect".

It never crossed my mind that this incident would reach the media and the government.

Initially, I never wanted to file a case, be seen on TV, be heard on the radio programs, and be read on the newspapers. It's really beginning to be stressful now. But the messages Ive been receiving have challenged and pushed me to file my case. Thanks to Ms. Susan Ople, for filing the case on our behalf, and to DFA USEC Rafael Seguis for the support. Hearing the words directly from them gave me more courage to pursue this.


Dyanie and I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Susan Ople for filing the case on our behalf. We truly appreciate it. This help is what we truly needed. It's glad to know that someone who has the right knowledge about this matter has finally confirmed that this is a case of disrespect.



the case was filed and was received by DFA last June 3, 2011



FYI (specially to those unidentified / anonymous commenters na nagmamarunong lang) do yourselves a favor and stop humiliating
yourselves and showing off your ignorance by leaving nonsense comments. Those are being deleted anyway.
PS. paki-sampal na din to sa pagmumukha nyo. =)




For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV


..ayon sa Blas Ople Policy center, hindi makatarungan ang tratong iginawad ng Indonesian Police. Ito raw ang unang pagkakataon na nakatanggap sila ng ganitong kaso na naganap sa Indonesia...

Sumulat na sila sa Department of Foreign Affairs para hingan ng paliwanag ang Indonesian Embassy sa insidente.

Nakakabahala ayon sa DFA ang insidente. Konting Pilipino lang daw ang nahulihan ng droga sa Indonesia para masailalim sa racial profiling ng immigration doon. Uutusan daw ng Philippine Embassy sa Jakarta para tingan kung maaring iprotesta ito sa Indonesa...
Link
Payo sa mga Pilipino, turista man o OFW, bago umalis ng bansa, siguraduhing
alam nyo ang contact number at address ng Embahada ng Pilipinas sa bansang inyong pupuntahan. Ito'y para mabilis nyo silang macontact at madali kayong makakahingi ng tulong sakaling inyong kailanganin.

- 24 Oras, GMA 7, June 3, 2011

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/81125/24oras-2-pinay-inakalang-drug-mules-sa-indonesia-airport



Inquirer News | June 5, 2011


read full story here:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/bali



a PRESS RELEASE from DFA | June 6, 2011




as of this morning, Ambassador Cherry Aguinaldo already went to the consulate in Jakarta to forward our government's concern.

source:
http://www.gov.ph/2011/06/06/philippine-embassy-to-provide-assistance-to-two-filipinas-suspected-as-drug-mules-in-bali/


The Indonesian Ambassador apologized for the traumatic incident. The Indonesian side had promised to look into the incident and to take appropriate steps to correct it.


..and finally the Indonesian Ambassador's statement | June 21, 2011

this case has been heard. the ambassador has spoken.
and it just all started with a blog.


Again, all I wanted is to write my traumatic experience, and to warn my co-Pinoy travelers, specially those who travel solo, that they could be the next "random suspect". I never wanted an apology, seek revenge, be compensated for the trauma, or anything. Being heard is enough.


- Being a victim is a choice, and I chose NOT to be one..

now let's all move on, shall we? =)

575 responses:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 400 of 575   Newer›   Newest»
rochell said...

Oh myghaad. This is scary. Though Bali is great place i'd never make it as one on my travel lists. Yes, others would say wag e-generalize ang Indonesia, eh sa ginawa nila gi-enralize naman nila ang Filipino's. I can't imagine myself in ur situation. Good thing though nakauwi kau & safe. But continue travelling!

rochell said...

Oh myghaad. This is scary. Though Bali is great place i'd never make it as one on my travel lists. Yes, others would say wag e-generalize ang Indonesia, eh sa ginawa nila gi-enralize naman nila ang Filipino's. I can't imagine myself in ur situation. Good thing though nakauwi kau & safe. But continue travelling!

Unknown said...

how sad, sana makarating sa lahat itong blog na ito at sana naman mailagay din sa news at makaabot din kay noynoy at sa lahat na din.

Jazzy Jaz said...

OMG! This is such a serious matter, Chyng. Good thing you and your friend handled the situation very well. I seriously think that Pinoy travellers nowadays should have presence of mind. I'll surely help you spread the word.

mapz said...

Bilib ako sa inyong magkaibigan sa tibay ng loob ninyo. The Lord is good, He kept you safe. I will pray for you both na sana ma-overcome ninyo ang trauma. Thank you for sharing this, Chyng. God bless.

wickedmoonlight said...

grabe, buti na lang safe kayong dalawa, at di kayo nagbreakdown sa harap nila. ang sarap lang sapakin ng mga ganun. ask someone from the embassy, baka pede kayo magkaso laban sa kanila. it's so unfair! lagi pa naman ako nagtatravel, pero usually madami kami. baka ung nakahuli sa inyo ang nakadrugs, lakas ng tama eh!

nakakalungkot lang na dahil sa kamalian ng iba, lahat nadadamay na. parang sa US, ang hirap makakuha ng visa ng Pinoy dahil akala nila magt-TNT na agad, kahit na legal ang reason mo sa pagpunta.

be safe.

Anonymous said...

That was really traumatic. We are planning to go Bali but now that i've read your experience, i'm having second thoughts. Sana hindi na mangyari ang ganyan sa iba. Come to think of it, ganun na ba kasama talaga ang tingin ng ibang lahi sa mga Pinoy?

irish said...

thanks for the info! gago sila! i know u just want to help other filipino travelers, and for that, we'll surely share this post. let's be extra careful. ang hirap ma-tag/ ma-brand as drug mules... lalo na if you're taking a vacation for leisure. grabe yung experience nyo. God bless you both and thank you for being an instrument for us to be aware of it.

lyla said...

i went to singapore last march for a very short vacation with some of my friends,me too was held at the immigration sa airport p lang kc nga i dont have a company id at wala daw ako work bka daw magpaiwan lang ako sa sg at maghanap ng work,ito pa, sabi ng immigration officer kung wala ako work how could i afford a vacation?hindi ba discrimination na yun,porke wala ka work wala ka na capacity to go out of d country, i think wat happened to u and ur friend could've prevented kung ang mga immigration officers natin ay ginagawa ang trabaho nila.. mga bogus din kc, at yang mga dayuhang na yan na mababaho naman ang kapal ng ,ukha nila sila nga itong numero unong nagdadala ng droga sa bansa natin...hayzzz... im sorry for u and ur friend . i hope one day you could find the courage to explore other parts of the world..kc magandaa naman talaga to travel wag lang agn ganitong experience.

Jed said...

hope this reaches the media and get some airtime.

i'm just relieved both of you are okay and back home even if i don't know you personally (an office colleague sent me the link).

what a harrowing experience.

i'm not against indonesia.

i have experienced some bad things too in the hands of our own police (held my family at gunpoint in mindanao avenue).

what i'm against are these types of people, foreign or pinoys.

power-trippers that are working for the government or a higher up level in a company or otherwise.

i just hate them.

hope they all die a horrible death.

Badet said...

I feel sorry for what you've experienced. Nakakagalit talaga! Sobrang baba ng tingin nila sa mga Filipinos eh pareho naman tayong third world. It's saddening na lahat ng Pinoy natata-tag as drug couriers dahil lang sa gawain to ng iba. Coincidentally, I was watching at National Geographic earlier tungkol sa mga drug couriers na yan, at may mga blacks, americans, etc... din naman. Why single out you two girls?

I hope this reaches the Indonesian embassy at mag-sorry sila sa ginawa nila. Sana matanggal sa pwesto yung mga Indonesian officers na yun.

Theonoski said...

WTF?!! is this how they treat us there? I support you Chyng on this and I pray that you'll have peace of mind after experiencing this harrowing experience.

Faye said...

Nakakainis sila! Nakakapanginig ng laman ang mga #$#%#$%#!!!! Maraming na seset up sa mga ganyan. Thank God walang nangyari sa inyo.

Edmon said...

thanks for sharing this, i'm also thankful nothing happened to you guys physically, but the hassle and all the trauma you experienced is regrettably different. i'll share this in FB to spread the word, and to keep all Filipino travelers safe. Maybe you can report this to, i dont know...Tulfo, Ted or Kabayan? This Indonesian airport harassment should stop!

Mark said...

Why the outrage from you and your readers? You entered a foreign country and are subject to their laws etc.You fit a profile that they use to filter passengers for checks.
Each time I return to Australia I am searched , swabbed and questioned.Why? Because I fit the profile Australian Customs use...Male , travelling alone , South East Asian stamps in my passport ...therefore I get stopped and searched etc. I take it all in my stride , it's part of life , get over it .

Anonymous said...

Hi Chyng. I found this entry via Nina Fuentes (Just Wandering.) I just hope that you and your friend Dyan are much better now. I shared the link to this blog post on my social media network and in my own blog, if only to make a few more people be aware of what you guys experienced. I wish you and your friend well.

pilipinaswatcher said...

They're so judgmental. Not all Pinoys are like that. Buti na lang the both of you are safe. I'll share this.

Gali said...

Hi Chying and Dyan,

This is a serious case of harassment and discrimination.

As a journalist, I want to write about this matter. If you have more information or updates, aside from those mentioned, I would appreciate it.

I hope you also file a formal complaint before the Department of Foreign Affairs to check the diplomatic corps' recourse.

I hope you overcome the trauma soon.

I salute you for showing courage under pressure.

Best,
Walter Balane
waltzib@gmail.com
Reporter, MindaNews.com

Anonymous said...

dati gustong gusto ko pumunta ng bali... pero dahil sa story mo.. wag n lng...dahil kpg sa akin nangyari to sigurado mgwawala ako sa galit ang mapagbintangan drug trafficker..
marami p nmn maggndang country n pede puntahan..:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Chyng, I've been traveling to the islands of Indonesia several times pero wala naman ganito nangyari sakin. The most is un binuksan lng nila un isa kong bag cos ndi nila ma-identify sa scanner un only laman ng bag is un bulky jacket ko for trekking pero hiyang hiyang na ako nun. Panu na kaya un nangyari sa inyo? Traumatizing! Pakshet sila mga sumita sa inyo!! All of them should go to hell! And also, pakshet din itong mga pinoy na mga drug traffikers! Sigh!

Anyways, to both of you always take care and I hope ndi na mangyari sa inyo ang ganito uli. Look at the brighter side and travel more.. :)

boyet said...

i've been to jakarta and bali in 2008. no such incident for me, luckily.

but i fully agree that such kind of profiling for pinoys is uncalled for. the govt must at least lodge a protest (btw, did u somehow let our govt officials know abt this?). or maybe do the same thing for indonesians coming into the philippines. para maramdaman nila kung pano ma-trauma (grrrr)

Unknown said...

i think you should file a case against them, considering the embarrassment that they'd put you through, only to find out nothing.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing...Mga Hayop sila...

Anonymous said...

hi sis.. i don't know you, your post was just shared to me. I will be sending and sharing this to friends, lalo na those in media so that the world could know how arrogant indonesians are. hope you're ok na.

thepinaysolobackpacker said...

naawa ako kay Dyanie. =( she's one tough girl. sabe ko nga sau, yan ang ni-remind saken ni mama nung summer backpacking ko, xa yung super kabado dahil nga daw s mga new abt drug trafficking. I posted my newest Indonesia post right before this happened to you. Which is good , kase if nalaman ko ang nagnyaro sayo, I would not say that in my post, pero sabe ko nga, iba iba naman experience naten. Yun ang na expereince ko, and thank God this ddint happen to me, at mas lighter ang experince ko sa kamay ng SG immigration. I guess the SG immigration is more polite mag-question kesa sa Bali officers huh?

Ingat tau sa pagbyahe byahe nowadays, esp w. the height of drug trafficking news related to Filipinas. This could happen in any country. it's really heartbreaking. =(

Anonymous said...

Grabe.. Asal nga naman. Hanga ako sa endurance niyo. If I experienced that, breakdown ako.. at di ko maimagine yung kaba na idinulot niyan at abala at aberya at marami pa. Thank God at hindi kayo na frame up.

Anonymous said...

Putang ina nila.....cla ang nagdadala ng drugs dito....dapat gawin din sa kanila ang ginawa sa inyo.....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Anonymous said...

That is so sad and irritating. Thank God nothing worse happened. Think of it as a blessing na lang din kasi atleast you got past that ordeal. Sana hindi na maulit sa kahit sinong Pinoy yung ganyan. I agree, there are far more fascinating places to visit locally, like Palawan and other islands, dito na lang muna tayo mag travel. Thanks for sharing your experience, this will open up a lot of eyes and minds when it comes to travelling abroad. Let's just hope the "Drug Trafficker" tag for Pinoys get erased soon. More power to you. You get a "Most Brave" badge for courage under pressure. Don't mind the trauma, what doesnt kill you only makes you stronger, sabi nga nila. You and your friend will be ok and forget about it in time. Continue doing what makes you happy and you will never regret a day you lived. :)

-Joana

ayan said...

sad to hear your story...
anyway, what goes around comes around...
mkakarma din mga gagong yan

chelo said...

if you can, please translate the ones in filipino to english so we can circulate it to indonesia. i worked there for a couple of years and i can help you with the circulation. that way, it will have a bigger reach.

dyun said...

tangna! nararamdaman ko nararamdaman nyo.. though nde grabe tulad ng naExperience nyo na dinala sa holding room.. my 1st trip in the US is parang nakakadala.. lalabas na ako s custom i was picked by customs police and start to check the things in my luggage.. i ask him what's wrong pero nde siya umiimik.. he started unpacking my things and when he found nothing he ask me to put my things back w/o any explanation what's the reason.. sabi ng iba RANDOM CHECK DAW! hay..

sad to say dahil ba i came from a 3rd world country at ako lang yung pinoy na nsa pila that time papalabas ng customs.. kasabay ko is mostly japanese and korean kaya i was the one picked up cguro.. andun yung kaba na khit wala ka naman dala bka i frame up ka! tinitingnan ka ng lahat ng tao na parang kriminal.. kaya ngayon tulad nyo natatakot tuloy ako bumisita sa US dahil sa nangyari..

i feel sorry for you guys.. sana hindi na ito mangyari s iba natin kababayan o sa kahit sino na ang intention is to have a vacation lang.. o dapat me explanation kung bakit nila ginawa at bakit kayo lang yung nakita sa dami ng nagbabyahe everyday db.. hindi yung parang nainsulto ka pa after nila gawin sa inyo yun db..

cindyrella said...

My friends and I are planning to visit Indonesia probably next year, but after reading this, I'm now starting to doubt if it will still be a good plan to spend some days in Indonesia.

You and your friend deserves an apology. Maybe not just for both of you but for the entire Filipino nation because those stupid people generalized that all Pinoys are drug traffickers. Shame to their system (and to the kind of thinking that they have). They should be sued for this.

I'll post your blog link so in time, it will reach the right people and see if they could do something about this.

This is a terrifying and traumatic experience. Nakaiinis sila, nakagagalit at nakakukulo ng dugo.

Anonymous said...

Grabe naman. Thank GOd at hindi kayo ng breakdown in front of them, and safe kayo.This is alarming, it can happen to anyone. labas pasok ako sa Indonesia Batam kasi may cousin ako dun, last visit ko is May 14,2011. Same thing happen to me pero di ko inisip na they are suspecting me na drug carrier. Tapos na ko sa immigration check at palabas na ko.iniscan ng ung hand carry ko, ng nakita nila ko tinanong nila ko if pinay ako, sabi ko yes why?kinuha nila passport ko at chineck na nila ung bag ko, buti dun lang mismo,grabe din ang tingin ko sa kamay ng ngchecheck ksi nga baka may hawak sya na inilagay nya dun.binulatlat nya gmit ko pati mga undies ko nkita ko na sumambulat.ngsalita na ko.what are you looking for, tell me so i can help you.pati wallet ko binuksan nila.nung natapos na inabot na sakin,sabay ngumisi sila,inirapan ko sila kasi naiirita na ko,.nakwento ko pa un sa pinsan ko na naasar ako sa customs dahil binulatlat ung gamit ko.I hope makarating to sa embahada natin sa Indonesia.they can check,pero di nila pwede i harass lahat ng Filipino.sna ma protektahan din nila ung right ng natin. I will post this in my fb wall

Beautyhunter said...

my friends are aware on what just happened to you ,,,,we are all here to support you..

Beautyhunter said...

may friends are now aware..thank u for your info....somehow mapipilayan sila ng mga tourist....support kmi kung au man balak u now.....we deserve equality and justice.....

mrsbads said...

ang lungkot naman ng tag nila sa pinoy..pero wag kang magalala kahit papano nakaganti na tayo may nahuling isang indonesian ang mga taga nbi na drug mule kasalukuyan siyang nakakulong ngayon sa nbi taft.

Bayni said...

i've been traveling all over domestic or overseas...and it's very common for other countries to profile other citizens from neighboring countries for their own reason and security...if you get pulled to the side and some authorities started grabbing your baggage just remember to be calm, cooperate, watch your baggage and his/her movement all the time...profiling visitors from other country is very common occurences especially in countries that have a very strict government illegal drug policy and harsh punishment.....

Dario said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Sana pwede mag reklamo nang ganyan sa bansa nila noh... Bad Repu na sila...

damned them! eh.. tingnan nyo... yung mga airport police nga pag alam nila na foreigner parang ang taas nang tingin nila.. pag tayo naman ang naging foreigner sa ibang bansa mina maltrato or dini-discriminate tayo...

Dario said...

I would suggest you and your friend file a formal complaint to the Indonesian Embassy. This is a serious matter. Also, if you could ask the help from our own foreign affairs office to back up your complaint. This SHOULD NOT be the way our countrymen be treated ANYWHERE in the world.

http://www.kbrimanila.org.ph/
INDONESIAN EMBASSY

185 Salcedo St. Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines

P.O. Box 1671 MCPO, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel. No. 892-5061/68 Fax No. 892-58-78 818-44-41

E- Mail Address:

Social and Cultural Section: fungsipensosbud@yahoo.com.ph

Protocol and Consular Section: protkonskbrimla@yahoo.com.ph

Economic Section: fungsiekon_kbrimanila@yahoo.co.uk

Trade Section: atperindag_manila@yahoo.com

Office Hours:
8:30AM-12:00PM
1:00 PM-5:00 PM

Unknown said...

as someone who has been to bali recently, i feel lucky that nothing like this happened to us. then again, i was with family and probably less suspect.

but let's face it: this is happening because there have been precedents. when we were there, i was so embarrassed to see a pinay on the front page of the papers--a pregnant pinay drug mule caught by the indonesian police.

let us be thankful that despite the trauma, no drugs were planted and chyng was able to go free. the story could have ended much worse.

cRa_uLo said...

Naalala ko yung Pinoy na nameet ko dito sa Perth. Citizen na yung family nya dito sa Aus pero sya permanent resident pa, when they arrived in Singapore for vacation, because may Philippine passport sya, he was separated from his family, yung wife nya at mga kids since may australian passport sila, they went straight pero sya naiwan sya for shitty whatever. Sabi ko nga, ganun na ba kasama ang image ng Pinoy? Kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko kapag magholiday ako, sa pilipinas na lang ako, we have 7.107 islands, so far napupuntahan 2 pa lang napupuntahan ko, dun na lang ako sa tin he he he he

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
markpogi said...

Scary experience. I listed Bali as one of my bucketlist but I might think twice on going there sometime soon.

Good thing the two of you are safe now here in Manila.

Allan said...

Guys, we need to make sure that the media learns of this.

I already sent this link to suggestions@inquirer.net
I think that the media can put this into light and pressure our politicians to do some actions(hopefully).

Dani said...

Grabe, nakakataas ng balahibo. Nakakabanas. Kapit-bahay pa naman natin sila tapos ganiyan. :/

Unknown said...

GRABE NAMAN ! First I would like to address my deep admiration to the both of you. Hindi madali ang pinagdaanan nyu. And If I would be in your shoes, baka magiiyak lang ako doon. Second, the Philippine Government must have been doing something for this. Kung paulit ulit na lang na ganito ang nangyayari there must have been something suspicious happening. Mano man lang yung magkaroon ng representative from the immigration sa Airport to be with 'alleged drug sindicates' pero wala. At its horifying na walang nakakaintindi sau. Knowing the fact na ndi sila (indonesian officers) fluent sa English. And second - Indonesians are lucky not being mistreated that way here in our country. Filipinos are known being hospitable and respectful - pasensyahan na lang sila kapag may masaktan din sa kanila. Lastly - Indonesian Government must coordinate with Philippine Government on how to assess 'suspicious travellers' nakakatakot na para sa isang ordinaryong katulad ko na pumunta sa bansa nila.

Nakakaloka - nakakatakot tlaga !

Mia said...

Hiya.

I'm sorry for the awful treatment you received in Indonesia. It is truly a traumatic experience, and that shouldn't happen to ANYONE. I'm personally ashamed as a Filipino who spent a few years in Indonesia.

However, it's not fair to generalize that all Indonesians are like that, or look at Filipinos that way because that really isn't the case. It's like saying ALL Filipinos think Italians are bombers just because customs held back ONE Italian for making a joke about nuclear bombs at the airport.

Kyle said...

That was a horrendous experience. Did you try contacting local media (here) to tell your story? You can Twit or FB some tv/radio anchors like Karen Davilla, etc. Or hopefully your story will find its way to one of them in due time.
And as one poster also commented, maybe the PHI Embassy there could have helped, at least you could have filed a formal complaint.

Just out of curiosity.. how many days were your intended stay in Indonesia? Was it all to be in Bali? Did you even try to stick to your itinerary or did you just stayed at your hotel the whole time? How did you treat or were treated by other Indons you met? (waitresses, hotel staff) Your driver at least seemed ok.

And finally, for me personally, I never did see Indonesia as a travel destination (I just came from HK and Singapore this summer). I just cannot see what appeal that country has to us (no offense to you). I remember the riots years ago where they would indiscriminately beat up and/or rape their own people. If they could do that to their own , what more to us? Plus their a bunch of racists s.o.b.s. As for Bali, i think its overrated. Surely, Boracay can give it a run for its money? And up till now, when i hear Bali, i still think of the Bali Bombing. Not to mention im not much of a beach person anyway.

I's say even before your story, Indonesia is in the top 3 of my list of countries in Asia I have no plans of ever going to. North Korea and Malaysia being the other two.

No particular reason why Malaysia is there, i just dont see what i can see there. I'd rather visit South Korea, Japan or Thailand.

RealMenWearAprons said...

very traumatic experience. good thing you and your friend came home safe..before ang pinoys were tagged as domestic helpers ngayon naman drug traffickers..nakakalungkot..lalo na wala kang magawa coz nasa territoryo ka nila..I hope you get over this experience soon,pati na rin yung friend mo..

Joanne said...

Dear Chyng,

I have just read your blog and was taken aback by your exprience in Indonesia. Would it be okay with you if I share your link in my facebook? PNOY has an official facebook account and maybe we can also place the link there. Our government needs to take action on this matter so no other Filipinos would suffer the same fate.

On the other hand, I would like to tell you that we experienced the same thing when me, my brother and our 3 other friends went to Batam Indonesia. I think that was around 2009. We took a ferry from SG to Batam to check out some beach resorts.

Upon entering Immigration, my brother, 2 of our friends and I made it "safely" so to speak. However, one of our friend (lets just call him "Mike") was escorted to a second room where he was accused by the immigration officer of entering Indonesia without a valid "visa" (hello how cant we have a valid visa when the Philippines and Indonesia are part of the ASEAN and therefore, we do not need a visa to enter each other's country). He accused him of "making an escape to Indonesia to garner a new 30 day visit mark to singapore" which is not true, since "Mike" has a return ticket to Manila and was on his last few days of vacation in Singapore.

The Indonesian Officer even bragged that he knows "what Filipinos are up to" and even threatened to deport Mike back to Singapore. Mike on the other hand, insisting on his innocence and motive, told the Indonesian Immigration Officer that he would rather choose to be deported since, he believed that he was carrying valid travel papers, hence he does not see any problems of him going back to Singapore.

The Indonesian Officer became angry and adamant and after trying to scare the wits out of Mike, then asked for 100 Singaporean Dollars for him to allow Mike to get through the Immigration counter.

Mr. Indonesian Officer even argued that it will be a "hassle" for them to do the paper work if they decide to deport Mike back to Singapore (biglang kabig sya since he saw that Mike has valid travel docs to enable him to go back to Singapore without hassle). He also threatened that Mike will be detained in that office if he did not give in.

Since Mike knew that he is within the Indonesian Officer's territory (and advantage), Mike decided to haggle until he was able to make the Indonesian Officer "give in into a much lower price," in exchange for his "freedom." If you are in that kind of situation, Im sure you will do whatever it takes to get out of THAT situation.

Mike was released after an hour.

While the above situation was on going, me, my brother and two of our friends were outside the immigration section. We were nervous, terrified, and scared of what is going to happen to Mike. As we were planning on how to go about the situation, an Indonesian man, approached us and asked what was wrong. We told him about it and he had this smug look on his face, as if telling us na it usually happens to Pinoys like us.

After the incident, we swore never to go back to Indonesia again. I dont think, we deserved to be harassed and treated badly. Just because we are Filipinos.

Have a great day.

Teacher Ayce said...

sad. i hope that you and your friend recover from this bad experience soon. good that you showed strength and thank God you're safe.
those people should be punished. indonesia is a lovely country just like the philippines. i believe that indonesians are not like them. they are just the 'bad eggs', just as there are bad eggs also here in our country. don't let this stop you from appreciating the beauty and culture of different countries/places.
were you able to get their names? it's not too late to do something about it. kahit sa 'media' lang, maikalat na may ganitong pangyayari. it might help others too.

Anonymous said...

It angers me to hear stories such as this one. I have gone through a rough time once, when an Indonesian official suddenly kissed me in the lips. I think that their "beso" culture is not that different compared to us, cheek to cheek lang or maybe smack sa cheek, idk. But what that person did to me was unacceptable (and to think that he was head of the Indonesian delegates). That was way back when I was still in college and became an officer during an event which involved Asian delegates coming to the Philippines. Malas ko lang nga na na-assign ako sa Indonesia. He asked me to go to his room to assist him on his itinerary. But then he cornered me and... Ayun. It was a good thing all the other Filipino officials and the Indonesian delegates were also in the rented house. Pag wala, kung ano na siguro nangyari sakin.

I reported it to our head, sexual harassment daw yun. But I thought, God has better plans for him.

This only goes to show that anyone can be a victim of these kind, so please don't ever let your guard down and say "what are the chances of that happening to me..?"

ang pagsisisi ay laging nasa huli.

Cindy said...

Hi Chyng! I'll share this too..it's so hard to ignore this! Thanks for sharing and hope you and your friend are okay now..somehow :)

Olga said...

Oh my! I can't even imagine the trauma you endured. Have you tried filing a complaint through DFA? or any other government agency who might be able to file a complaint against those officers in Indonesia.

Anonymous said...

ACTUALLY, this could happen anywhere.. even in the PH, airport police, to foreigners.. too bad our reputation in other countries is really bad.. even to a 3rd world country like indo.

Badongski said...

I am so sorry that this has to happen to Chyng Reyes and Dyan!!! It is pertinent that a human rights lawyer and movement from the UN or from a world organisation be available in every country around the world.

So much abuse by the authorities from every country, be it 1st world or 3rd world, are happening! You should sue the Indonesian customs or immigration and drug officers for harassment and fraud!

Badongski said...

I will share this with my Indonesian friends... and see what they have to say and maybe they could help!

psychonightelf said...

Hi Chyng,
I have been working legally in Indonesia for 3 years now and I always feel agitated everytime I get to the Immigration line in Jakarta. I am glad that you and your friend are in a safe place now. There is really a stigma that Filipinos are that way. And it doesn't benefit us at all. But being in Indonesia for 3 years now has taught me to be cautious. It is a very corrupt country. Immigration officers in Indonesia are very rude. Did you guys share this experience to the Philippine Embassy? I know that to even recall the harrowing experience is painful but to report the incident to the authorities will be a great step in improving or even changing things. I only wish you and your friend healing. And at the same time I admire your strength and composure. I am not religious but I'm sure He was with you when the ordeal was happening.

Michi said...

very traumatic to. bilib din ako sa niyo, kung ako siguro to, umiiyak na sa takot kasi pd ka maset up talaga. now i understand kung bakit takot si hubby pag pumupunta ng shanghai kasi lagi siya nararamdom check. kapapanood ko pa naman ng "eat pray and love' yaw ko na rin sa bali.

Anonymous said...

it would've been a lot better and would make a difference if this was all written in english so it can be easily propagated.

Anonymous said...

TRAUMATIC! I could not imagine myself in your situation. And you still managed to remain silent, calm and controlled, especially Dyan after her body check. Baka kung ako yun, sobrang breakdown na ako right there.

ENRAGED! That's what I feel for those Indonesian BASTARDs! They suspected you of carrying drugs just because your Filipinos. And the way they handled you is very unprofessional and so unlawful (well, di naman ako abogado, pero that's what I feel).

THANKFUL! That they did not set you up or anything. And that you're safe home.

Another worth reading and must-be- shared story from you.

Cris said...

pakshet.. thanks dito, im a traveler with my wife and kid and ayokong maranasan namin to. i will never go to indonesia, im having goosebumps while reading your blog. Ano kaya ang feeling ng nasa lugar nyo during that time? i can't really put myself on that situation, naiisip ko pa lang parang magwawala na ako to think na talagang wlang drugs sa katawan natin. Well were happy for you at di kayo napasama pa..

Really appreciate your blog.

cris

Anonymous said...

I hope this blog or story could be featured on gma or tv patrol news.

The XCoder said...

After reading your blog, it makes me really more praning din to prepare ourselves next time we visit a country not only Indonesia.

Grabe nakapag-iinit ng ulo at nakakapraning talaga.

Tnx for sharing this info.

Anonymous said...

Ganyan naman yang mga yan. Tingin nila sila ang superior palibasa ang mga pinoy nagpapakatulong sa bansa nila. Tingin nila magagawa na nila gusto nila. Mga racists yang mga yan e. Di pa pumanaw nakakainis lang. Gustong gusto ko pumunta sa Singapore, pero nung nabasa ko to nagbago isip ko, lalo if ever na pupunta ko dun e magisa lang ako.

jona said...

holy shet. i can't even imagine the fear you went through and the trauma it caused. putangina talaga nila! nakaka-init ng ulo!

will repost.

rhina_sky said...

chyng..nakakatakot namang experience yan..pwede ko ba i-post to sa fb?para makita ng iba..alam mo gusto ko i-tag sa media tong experience nio..kasi unfair sa ating mga pinoy..sana mawalan sila ng turista pupunta sa kanila o kaya naman i-banned sila ng pilipinas.para ma-aware sila na hindi maganda un.:(natakot ako habang binabasa ko..kainis sila sobra;/

Anonymous said...

anu po ang sabi ng mga kababayan natin sa Embassy?
tayu ang nag papa-sweldo sa mga tao sa embassy para protektahan tayung mga tax-payers, dapat gawan nila ng aksyon ang mga ganitong klaseng issue.

isp101 said...

Ms. Chyng, those stupid and brainless Indonesian Immigration officers should get fired! I'd bet, they haven't even finish high school! Do they want their fellow Indonesian people to be treated like what they did to you and your friend, once they get here in the Philippines?! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! They do not deserve to work as Immigration officers, because, they love to stereotype and they are arrogant, boastful, imbecile! I would love to feed them with some piece of shit and put my shoe print in their ugly and disgusting face! I would suggest that If you can consult our embassy, you could probably sue them and teach them a lesson! I hope you guys are now ok! Take care!

Cris said...

No offense but mostly, those who have the looks of domestic helper and such are the common victims of this discrimination you are claiming.

Just think about it, would a good looking filipina model will have the same treatment from those people in the airport? .. I don't think so. :)
(from comment 4:47pm anonymous)

loko pala to e. ibig sabihin kung may itsura ka o maganda ka di ka na pwedeng magkaganun? ingat lang baka kaw na susunod.

JAP said...

We went to indonesia too last year but in bintan. Hinold nila ang friend namin for no reason. Nagsara na din ang buong port and immigration, kami na lang natira so sobrang pissed na kami. Matapang ako nun since me work pass ako ng SG and hindi ko alam bat hinold yung friend ko habamag nagyoyosi lahat ng IO. So sabi ko sa IO anong problema? Nagalit ang IO at sabi binastos ko daw cia at kinukuha ko passport ko, sabi ko sa anong rason? D nia maipili un gusto nia kasi alam nia walang dahilan para kunin passport ko, sabi idedetain daw ako, sabi ko bigay nila pangalan nila bago nila kunin passport ko, lalung napikon un boss ng IO kasi bakit ko daw kukunin name nila. Sabi ko mum ko works sa ph government, pinalabas nila ung friend ko,, sinabi nila sa hotel na kelangan Ako bumalik ng morning para pababalikin nila ako ng SG, sabi ko bakit ko sasayangin binayad ko sa hotel e wala naman silang mabigay na offense sa akin.

Malakas manakot ang mga io ng indonesia, kahit kalahi nila pikon sa kanila. Nanakot sila and naghihintay ng lagay.normal na sa kanila yan.

elleyn said...

Awww ching so sad to hear your traumatic story.

sayang naman bakasyon mo. well sad to say, medyo marami na ngang tags against pinoy. hope that wont keep you from travelling.

nakakahinayang lang na you could have written about the nice beaches of bali but the experience ruined it.

Ellaine

James said...

Sorry, i didn't read all the comments...may i ask, kung may ginawa na bang action from our government? ano daw say nila?

Anonymous said...

Kakatakot naman yan. emotional pa naman ako at childish. Sana fair sila sa pagcheck ng mga luggage at kung ano-ano pa ginagawa.dapat baguhin nila sistema dahil di lang naman Pilipino at di lahat ng Pilipino ay drug users o drug traffickers. Dapat di sila harsh. Gusto ko pa naman pumunta Bali pero ngayon, di na. wag na lang.

Anonymous said...

That's one of the most maddening racist treatment i've heard.. I mean, sino ba ang mas mukang terorista? Sa kanila nga nagtago ang Jemaah Islamia db?! I just hope we Filipinos are as illeterate as they are to be able to do that to them, but we are more than just being stupidos and tontos.. WE THINK.. and from now on I'll cancel Indonesia in my wish travel list and I'll spread the word..

Ytchiey said...

I agree that it is a very traumatic experience. Sna nman di lahat ng bantay sa airport ganun.. Npatapat lng kayo siguro sa mga walang-kwentang airport police.

I'm afraid of planes and that has always been the reason why I haven't visited any country. Not even hongkong. Tapos may ganito pang eksena...malabo na siguro ako makakuha ng lakas ng loob to travel.

My heart goes to you and your friend, ching. Despite the traumatic experience, you held strong.

Yan po ang totoong pinoy.. este.. PINAY power.

Anonymous said...

ohmaygahd chyng! nakakatakot naman nangyari sa inyo... you stood your ground very well despite what happened, saludo pa rin kayong dalawa ng friend mo. its a bad experience that hopefully will not happen to anyone else. haaay.

Damsel said...

Hi Chyng, although I heard that Bali is a great place for vacation, I also promised myself not to go back to Indonesia after visiting Jakarta 2 years ago. Para ka lang nasa Pinas, un lang - people there are not friendly, ang babaho ng mga tao, pati ang paligid mapanghi, mga pagkain wala lasa except lahat lasang sili! Good thing it was a business trip and our Indonesian business partners paid for everything! Otherwise, it was a waste of time and money!

Winston said...

oh crap i feel bad for you. I've been to Indonesia but the worst I experienced were taxi drivers who cheated on our fares. Did you try reaching the Philippine embassy in Indonesia?

Winston said...

oh, by the way, you can try writing a letter to the Indonesian embassy in Makati. They might be able to work on something to avoid this from happening again. If may not be for you or for your friend, but at least for those other tourists who are visiting Bali.

The Food Alphabet said...

Hi Chyng,

so sad to hear you had to experience that in Bali, was able to visit Bali 2 years ago, but luckily had no such experience.

I just hope they stop branding people for something they are not. And you are right super dami ng foreign visitors that look more hideous than us pero hindi sila ni-check. I hope those, whoever they are would see light in what they do... but ask me if I'll return to Bali? I would prefer Boracay anytime of the year...

Anonymous said...

sorry to hear that. look, you cant just judge all indonesian officials are corrupt or bad. i'm an indonesian. i was drug abuser for 5 fucking years, 1998-2002. each day, the customs busted 2-3 drug traffickers from various airports...EACH DAY. that means 60-90 people a month. they will check any suspicious person, whatever their nationality or race. neger, arabs, kaukasian, chinese, even indonesian. arrests shall be it,if they have evidences.

it is our national problem. so you have to look from the other side. if the next time you need assistance, you better prepare indonesian dude that knows to speak to the officials. especially guys that can bark.

again, i'm very sorry to hear that.

PS: dont flatter yourself by saying you are pretty, 'cuz you are not ;)

thanks for reading

Hari

Marvin Gaerlan said...

Nakakalungkot ang ng yari sa inyo at nakakagalit dahil ganyan na pala ang trato sa atin.

Kung magpapatuloy yung ganung trato sa atin, at magiging racist din ako, dapat siguro kapaan lahat ng papasok na Indonesian dito at baka terorista.

Racial profiling yung ginawa nila. Hindi biro yun. Sana magkaroon kayo ng pagkakataon na personal na makipag-ugnayan sa DFA para makapaghain ng reklamo.

Thanks for sharing your story. I hope you don't mind, I'll this post to my FB.

msmarievp said...

Hi Chyng, thank you for sharing with us your experience. I was considering visiting Indonesia, but not anymore. Hindi "BALI" na lang LOL. I've reposted it to my tumblr to share it with my friends and other people. I feel sorry for you, and I admire you and your friend for staying strong and keeping your cool in that unfortunate situation. And it's consoling to say p** ina at times like that/this.
Best regards and take care.

Wilhelmina said...

OMG nakakatakot talaga.... And to think halos mga Pinoy din mga itsura nila, grabe naman yung treatment nila sa atin, porke Pinoy drug trafficker na! Pero I'm glad na nakauwi na kayo at walang nangyari sa inyong dalawa, sana naman may isang taong nasa kapangyarihan dyan ang may magawa tungkol dito. Di ba violation of civil rights yung ginawa nila?

HenryK said...

Aiyah...shameful to the country --". On behalf of Indonesian, I am very sorry that our governemnt and police are bunch of doofus. Really really sorry for the things you had to go through.

Appearantly, some individuals are too occupied with their personal "taste" over their duty, but i guarantee, it almost unlikely for your case. I must admit, indonesians police are okay overall, but their leader is a pushover, and since the follower follow the leader, you know the drill already. True that we must reeducate our responsibility toward this.

Once again, I do apologize on behalf of Indonesian people for this to happen. I feel ashamad for what they did to you.

iladybev said...

The first and last time I went to Indonesia was year 2004, It was also traumatizing. I CAN SAY THAT THEY ARE REALLY RAPIST. I had a bad experience sa hotel na tinuluyan namin ng friends ko. There where two Indonisians who followed me in the Toilet at the Lobby and went up stairs with me at the elevator. Trauma ako kc nalaman nila ang room ko then tawag sila ng tawag sa akin that they will see me later that night, they are indos that can talk a little English. I called the front desk mga PAKSYET SILA WALNAG NAKAKAPAGSALITA NG ENGLISH HELL AND HOTEL NA YUN THOUGH NOT THAT CHEAP. Grabeh, hindi ako makalabas ng room ko at sa room takot na takot talaga ako. Tumawag ako sa front desk again and I checked out. I moved to other far hotel and got a flight ahead from my schedule going to SG. Ayoko nang bumalik ng Indonesia mga manyak mga tao dun!!

tina nanay ni gabby asawa ni gelo said...

This very unfortunate and unacceptable incident should be brought beyond social networking sites..the government should probe this issue. discriminatory acts against and stereotyping towards Filipinos should never be tolerated at any cost. The trauma and humiliation you had are not to be put in vain. All my respects for both of you for standing brave and composed..

Anonymous said...

thanks for sharing..
well im from indonesia, thats not a surprised with your experience, and i have no defense too regarding this since it had already happened many times with many foreigner and even for indonesian peoples too..

personally im very ashamed and feel sorry for u, it's just like i've got some direct slap into my face

surely i hope u wouldnt thought that all indonesian are just like them.. i hope this thing wont be happen again next time u visit my country..

GBU

Anonymous said...

read your story from witsandnuts. your story was really terrifying and unfair. it was indeed a matter of life and death kasi they have the power that time. pwede kayong i-set-up pero buti nalang at nakauwi na kayo ng pinas.

i am sharing this post in my facebook coz i know some people who are planning to go in Indonesia for short breaks. just to warn them.

Unknown said...

Putek sila ha. Masyadong general kung mag-isip. Tama, gusto din ba nila na i-generalize at i-stereotype natin sila?

Hindi ata makatarungan yung ginagawa nila ah. Kung takot sila sa drug traffickers eh dapat ay hindi lang kayo ang dinampot dahil sa Pilipina kayo. Hindi lang naman mga Pilipino ang drug traffikers sa mundo ah.

Lintik talaga ang mga iyan. At sasabihin ko sa yo na hindi OA ang reactio niyo sa kaganapang ito dahil in the first place, hindi makatarungan at masyadong unfair sila!

Anonymous said...

is this true? i have a bali trip coming up. all the flights and accommodations have already been paid for. i'm just really bothered that this will happen to us too.

Anonymous said...

dpt ipost mo s gov.ph site pra magising ang mga walang kwentang awtoridad jan s tin,.n dpt d nla pinapalampas ang mga ngkakasalang mga dayuhan,..kunsabagay mukhang pera nmn cla kya ok ang masamang gawain jan, pro s ibang bansa d un uubra!...

Anonymous said...

now i know, i went for a solo backpacking trip to indonesia last april 2011. the immigration officers did the same odd bag checking na hindi ko naranasan sa 3other countries na pinanggalingan ko before indonesia. they searched my backpack, kulang na lang sirain nila. even my shoes were re-scanned, they twisted it, and all sorts. i just obliged, i thought its the same procedure for all, i was wrong. its because i'm pinoy. and i don't get it. i'm a professional, at hindi nakakataas ang indonesians sa mga pinoy, utang na loob, ang papangit nila. bali is full of scammers, swindlers, mandarayang money changers. i haven't met chyng, but i follow her blog. kaya kumukulo ang dugo ko sa ginawa sa kanila, especially they're females. boycott bali! boycott indonesia! mas marami pang magandang place sa pinas! boooo to indonesia, scam haven of asia!

Anonymous said...

I feel so sad of what happened to you. I have a scheduled trip to Indonesia next month. I might cancel it. To be honest, i got scared reading your blog.

By the way, i have posted your blog to several different Indonesian websites.

REgards,
Stephen

Mark said...

This is madness!! I feel sorry for u ching! Will take part in letting my friends and fellow travller know this one. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

as if maganda ang bali, but sorry, it was plain disappointment. puno ng basura ang kuta beach, u can't even swim. no wonder wala kang mahahanap na magandang picture ng bali sa yahoo image. ehem, wala sa kalingkingan ng boracay ang bali. nakakahiyang i-compare ang bali sa magagandang beaches ng pinas. BOYCOTT INDONESIA!!!

expert's advise said...

There was a long list of comments so i havn't had the chance to read every single one of them. I wonder if you have raised this issue to our DFA. If so, kindly give us an update. Our government should do something about this. Our government should step up for the Filipinos. I understand Indonesia is trying to protect her citizenry BUT at what expense??? FILIPINOS SHOULD BE WARNED NOT TO GO TO BALI. Thank you for sharing with us this experience. This will spare a number of Filipinos from suffering the same humiliation and torment. I will help spread the word around.

Anonymous said...

chyng: lets boycott indonesia,,, **** naman talaga!!!!! am gona share this one!! grrrrrrrr harrasment na kaya yong ginawa nila!!

Trisha said...

Hi Chyng! I have read ALL your entries (yep, nag-back read talaga ako), pero dito lang sa post na to ako magcocomment. I was so teary-eyed reading your experience in Bali. Grabe. Sobrang unfair naman niyan. :(

Unknown said...

Oh my God. This is really disturbing chyng. I hope you and your friend are ok. Nakakainis naman yung officers sa Bali because of their assumption that Filipino's are drug traffickers kahit na ang pakay lang naman natin sa bansa nila is to relax. They did not even ask for an apology. Grabe, sana kahit isa man lang sa officers na yan ang magpunta dito sa Pinas at ma-tag as rapist or drug addicts instantly. I'll spread the word chyng. Always be safe..

John Eric "icko" Silla said...

The first time na lumipad ako sa Indonesia ang naging problem ko so far ay yung mga police officers nila roving inside the airport - most of them super BOBOnic sa english. Planning to visit Indonesia again pero parang "di Bali na alang". Have you tried to report this in our embassy? or sino kayang gov agency ang kayang magsupport with a situation like this? Super disappointed ako and irritated. Thanks for sharing this story.

Sendo said...

wow..di ko akalaing grabe pala napagdaanan niyo ...maaksyunan sana ang issue na to agad agad...grabe naman sila to generalize us Filipinos dahil lang dun sa mga iilan na nahuli nila, ang kapal pa ng mukha nila. while reading this, tingin ko pinagtritripan lang kayo eh. walang hiya sila. as if lang naman filipinos lang ang pwedeng magdala ng drugs!

Sendo said...

sana ok ka na chyng...nasa bansa ka na diba...whew...pati ako napakunot-noo..nakakagalit rin siya nanakakairita kahit nagbabasa lang ako...anyway, let's just pray na wala ng magaganun at sana eh maparating to sa mga concerned officials. hmm

Anonymous said...

Hi Chyng,

I was disgusted with the ordeal you and your friend has gone through. I also wanted to go to Bali after my friend posted his pictures in FB (and quite honestly it was beautiful).

After reading this, I am now not crazy to go to this place. Nobody deserves this treatment. It was pure harassment. Not every single Pinoy that goes there is an addict or a pusher; to be singled out is not right.

Katherine Racaido said...

Hi Chyng, I would like to thank you for sharing this. This is really a GREAT help!!!

Unknown said...

It's nice to know that two of you are OK and they did not take advantage of you.

I guess we cannot blame them specially if the drug mule that they always catch are pinoys. I had a similar situation when me and my family arrive here in Saudi Arabia. Airport officers/police talking to each other using language that you cannot understand and they looking at you as if you just killed a man. Good thing they released us early because they could not find anything in our luggage and they apologize for the hold-up. Just don't let this kind of thing stop you from doing things that you love and that's to TRAVEL and share it all your readers.

I'll be looking forward for your next post!

Anonymous said...

Ireklamo nyo yan sa DFA...wlangya sila..dapat pa nga magfile ng complaint sa mga yan..grrr grrr..kung ako nyan tatakbo ako agad sa phil embassy kapal nila..u two okay now?hoping ud be,soon

Herb said...

Sana may English translation para mas maipapasa sa iba, especially to my Indonesian friends.

Very unfortunate incident, but this also happened to my Brazilian friend naman sa Pinas. Hinuli ng pulis habang naglalakd for no reason. I think that the best we can do is to keep informed, spread information and experiences, but let's not get down to name- calling. Especially since the term "racist" is highly incorrect since Filipinos are mostly from the same racial stock as Indonesians.

Anonymous said...

What a horrible experience! You patiently tried saving a penny so u can go out on a trip and relax a bit then ganito lang ang magiging outcome? While reading your story I can imagine how terrified and scared u were at that moment. This may sound a cliche but kailangan ulitin baka sakaling pakinggan..."the Philippine government should do something against this immigration policies malpractice". Yun naman ang purpose kung bakit ang bawat bansa ay may kanya-kanyang embassies sa ibat-ibang parte ng mundo di ba?Para protektahan ang kalahi saan mang sulok ng mundo pumunta?. Kawawa naman mga travellers na ang gusto lang naman ay ienjoy ang buhay at ienjoy yung part ng kinikita nila by going out on tours.

Anonymous said...

Sad to say but Pinoys have already been branded as "drug traffickers". When I went to Beijing, China last Nov 2010, the airport security segregates tourists by Nationality and made extra effort to search those nationalities which were commonly suspected as drug carriers...But what happened with the two of you was over the top and is a direct insult to our Country. I hope you reported this to the government.

Thank God I didn't had the same experience when I went to Bali in 2006. I would've fainted right there and then.

Im in Shanghai now and airport security check is back to normal checks, no longer intimidating. Weather weather lang din siguro.

aramirez said...

Putang ina sila... We Filipinos are hospitable to all nationals tas tang-ina, napaka racist nila.

I think you should report this to the embassy.

If you remember, hongkong people got paranoid when there were casualties during a hostage scene sa bus sa may ocean park, they were so paranoid. There wanted an investigation and an investigation happened in our country.

Napaka lenient natin and sobrang bait natin sa mga foreigners but this is what we get from them when we're at their territory?

Damn them and sh!t sa kanila. I think you should report this to the authorities.

chingoy, the great chef wannabe said...

i feel for you... i just hope u and ur friend are better now.

may this be a warning for ur readers, but i also hope there won't be any hasty generalizations of any kind.

God bless you.

vayz said...

I have an standing invitation from a friend in Indonesia. With these developments, I will have to postpone my visit there until they show us how tourists must be treated. Thanks for the info...

Anonymous said...

galit na galit na galit ako ng mabasa ko story ninyo sa bali.

sana, mapansin ng govt natin ito.

kahi maliit na respeto lang sa tourists na pumapasok sa bansa nila.

Sana may measures sila na di maapakan ang basic human rights.

Dapat i demanda ninyo mga hayop na yon.

Anonymous said...

hope you 2 are ok na ngayon. GOD bless po sa inyo

Anonymous said...

wooow.. grabe sobra aman un pnagdaanan nyo s mga ungas n indinosian police na yun it so scary and terrifying, grabe s kasalanan ng ilang pinoy at pinay damay taung lahat, sobra ung gnawa nila s nyo nakaka high blood un ah...mga walng kwentang indonesian police.... by the way thanks for sharing your experience, you give us information about indonesian,.. godbless po...keep safe..

Anonymous said...

sana mapa abot ito kay PNoy.

You can post this story to the office of the president. www.op.gov.ph

Anonymous said...

Have you tried to report this with out DFA or any NGO that could bring this matter to light with the Indonesian government?

I am sorry for your traumatic experience. T_T Thank you for not showing them fear.

chichi said...

Graveh!! as in OMG!! I come to think of it that Bali is one of the places that every person would like to visit however after i read all the details of what was you experience guys! It is very annoying and unexemptional... I don't think they have the right to treat filipinos like that though filipinos are in their terretory they should respect and show even little values..graveh ginwa nila sa inyo guys..really apology as not enough pra gawin un sa in.u even for other country..I think they should deserve death rather than filipino who was allege of drugs or what..


anyway, i hope u recover from all the trauma..god bless!

lizzie said...

Oh gosh! I will go to Bali in October with a Chinese friend. This is scary news. :(

Anonymous said...

You should report it to the DFA or whatever agency here so that they can take diplomatic actions. damat may gawin si Pnoy dyan. I traveled almost three times a month, Last year i went to jakarta almost every month for a year. I don;t take budget airline na after seing lots of problems like discriminations sa immigrations and other stuff, when I started taking normal airline the immigration is ok in singapore, jakarta etc. mababa tingin nila sa mga pinoy lalo na pag naka budget airline ka. But anyway sana mabigyan ito ng pansin lalo na ng media para pansinin ng mga politicians to take actions.

Am flying this month to singapore, surabaya, singapore then bali and lombok. Now i want to cancel tuloy my work there kc natakot ako sa nangyari sa inyo dahil pag sa akin ginawa yan baka mabugbug ko mga yun!

See instead na kikita ako at makapag dala ng pera sa pinas eh hindi nalang. This problems ay dapat ayusing ng goverment natin and am sure hindi lang ako may work related travels in asia.

Anonymous said...

Well, I could just imagine the horror and shock you've experienced...things like that happen here; it's also a reality that there are a number of drug mules (not just from philippines, but also from other countries like malaysia and especially australia) that do pass through indonesian airports (particularly in bali); it's also a reality that quite a number of officials here are corrupt (in varying degrees)...maybe it would help if you send a letter to Jakarta Globe and Jakarta Post (the only English newspapers in Jakarta/Indonesia, don't know much if Bali has one) stating your horrid experience in Bali. And just like what you've stated in your blog entry, kalmado lang (with a bit of irritation and disgust, but no expletives) ang style ng letter mo. Try sending one to the tourism department, and also (make it an article!) to Jakarta-Java Kini Magazine, and Time Out Jakarta...also to Kaskus (something like a social blog/forum)...hope this helps even if a bit...God bless.- kero

enchantress said...

Hi. I went to Bali last year and flew in with a guy friend from India. I didn't know they had a policy like this. I was surprised because my friend just breezed through while I was stopped to get my luggage checked.

Nothing as bad as your ordeal happened, thank goodness. The guy who checked my luggage carefully waved that wand thing over all of my luggage and didn't find anything. I was confused as I was the only one stopped but I acted confident coz I know there's nothing illegal in my gigantic bag. When he finished nga I asked him pa to be the one to take my bag off of the carousel coz it was effin heavy.

I thought I got stopped because I had purple streaks in my hair. I thought maybe they found it weird.

After reading this, I'm thinking I was also profiled for carrying a Philippine passport. I guess seeing that I flew in with a friend from India (Indians are treated VERY well in Bali as I was in a group where I was the only filipino) also mitigated the checking of my things. Plus the fact that I was confident and a tad impatient.

Is there no agency you can (or we ALL can) complain to? What happened to you guys is totally not right. The Indonesians really should answer to this as it is blatant racial profiling. And to women at that.

Anonymous said...

mga hinayupak na putanginang mga gagong walang modong mabababa pa sa asong ulol na sana mamatay na yang mga walanghiyang tarantandong mga airport security yan!fuckshit sila!

Anonymous said...

Hi Chyng! When I read your blog, I was very much infuriated with how the Indonesian Immigration officers investigated you and your friend! Your blog is an eye-opener for everybody that we should not be treated like this, and neither do we accept this kind of treatment when we visit another country especially ASEAN-member countries. This act is discriminatory to the Filipino people.

Blueberry Girl said...

my gosh, nakakapang-init ng ulo chyng! grrrr, so unfair!!! parang gusto ko na burahin ang Bali sa travel list ko, sobrang unfair! bad trip talaga! words cannot express to pacify you right now, kahit ako i'll be traumatized with that kind of stupid policy dahil lang Pinay yung magttravel sa Indonesia! Will definitely re-post so Filipino travelers will be aware!

Anonymous said...

mga puta sila.. natakot na din ako umalis ng pinas ah!

Carlo said...

I suggest you put a "Share on Facebook" and a "Tweet This" button for easier sharing. Hope you guys recover soon.

Anna22 said...

hi. thank you for sharing your experience with us. i feel sorry for you and your friend. nagagalit din ako sa nangyari sa inyo.

Ang question ko lang, wala ba tayong Philippine law na pwedeng magprotect sa mga kagaya nyo na naging victim sa immigration sa Indonesia? Obviously you were harrassed there. Hindi ba sila pwedeng ireklamo?

And also, I may suggest that next time, since this incident happened to you guys, it would be better kung mas madami kayong magkakasamang magbabakasyon. Mas maganda cguro kung may kasamang guy/s or parent/s when travelling para hindi paghinalaan na drug carrier. Ako ren kasi, Im a girl, cguro same age bracket as you are, muntik na din naharang sa immigration papuntang SG. Kung hindi lang nila nakita yung nanay ko na kasama ko, malamang hindi ako nakalampas sa immigration.

Anyway, Im glad that you are safe now. Again, thank you for sharing this story with us. I will let my friends read this article so they will be aware as well. Take care.

jade said...

did you report this to PH embassy? i think you two should file a formal complaint. it can be considered as harassment since they made you take off your clothes even if it was a lady officer who was frisking you. that was really uncalled for.

bali is not that a good place for tourists. we've been there, and we don't plan to go back again. people there cheat by overpricing clueless tourists and giving them wrong directions. believe me, the beaches are nothing compared to boracay.

expert's advise said...

To you ANONYMOUS who said Pinoys are gullible and stupid and that Bali is the best ASEAN destination and will always be... KISS my A**!

You just blew your cover. Eigther you're a foreigner pretending to be a Pinoy or you're a HALF-blooded Pinoy with Indonesian sentiments. In any case, I find your post to be irrational and a piece of CRAP!

However I compliment your command of the Filipino language.So you're well versed with our language eh? READ THIS:

DI BALI NALANG! Do you understand?!

Anonymous said...

hindi ba puwede idemanda ang mga putang inang yan??? tangina! nakakagalit!

Anonymous said...

You are not alone I also have the same treatment as yours way back 2008, I went to Singapore then went to Batham afterwards. I over stayed in Singapore for a month and half para sabay na kami uuwi ng tita ko before christmas my tita kasi is a PR resident in Singapore and we paid forthe pass extension, so naisip namin wala nmn masama if i stayed longer. but come before ako umuwi ng Phil. we visit Batham first, nung nasa Indonesia Immigration na ako grabe hinold nila ako for freakin 1 1/2 hour kasi kesyo bakit dw ganun ung number of days na ng stay ako sa SG antagal, tas baka naman dw balak ko mg tnt and the worse is this nga na baka drug mule dw ako kasi i was only 20 yrs old then and the identification besides my passport that i have ay school ID lang.. grabe nakakaba nga ung ganung experience although alam mo naman sa sarili mo na wala kng ginagawang masama but di ka makalaban coz nasa bansa ka nila... haayy! I salute sa lakas ng loob nyo kasi ako i was crying na palabas pa lang ng immigration sa sama ng loob at takot.

Kay

angie said...

Please consider filing a formal complaint para magtanda sila at tayo na ding mga Pinoy. At para magkaboses na din yung ibang may similar experience sa inyo.

Tina Galido said...

Hi Ma'am, we also had the same incident when we went to Bali.. 2 din kami ng friend kong babae.. ung scan nila sa amin grabe tapos ginamitan nila ng parang drug scanner ata un... tapos un iba wla pinapalampas lang nila... tapos patawa tawa lang cla... pero buti wlang nangyari masama ... maghanda na lng tayo sa mga travels....

Kayni said...

i am so angry. this is because i've been through a similar situation in berlin, not to the gravity of what happened to you and dyanie. in my situation, i was labeled with illegal entry just by looking at me - a Filipino.

Anonymous said...

taenang indonesia yan. dapat i-spread natin itong post na ito para wala nang pumunta sa hinayupak na lugar na yan, di ba yan yung binomba noon ng terrorista at yan rin yung lugar na nilindol? bakit ba naman kasi may ganang pumunta ang mga tao sa mga lugar na yan, noon pa ako allergic pumunta sa mga lugar tulad ng indonesia, malaysia, at mga katabing lugar nila, dahil sa culture nila at sa tingin ko mas mababang uri ang mga tao doon, honestly, sa tingin ko parang dangerous talaga ang mga lugar na yan dahil sa kanilang culture.

Anonymous said...

That was so uncool when they bragged about the filipinos they arrested. Cooperation requires respect on both parties. But this? This is purely racism. You gave us the compelling reason to share this.

majuro said...

i am sorry for you and your friend's traumatic experience. this is just one of the many problems our passport carries with it by proudly bearing our country's banner. but as with any problems like this, i have no doubt this also happens to visitors to our country entering our borders.

heck, BI and customs even harass our own balikbayan. how's that for 'welcome home'? but in any case, you did quite well in holding on to your feelings and not lash out on them. anything more than a curse would simply embolden them to find fault or make one.

charge this to experience and learn from it. don't make it something that prevents you from traveling and enjoying the world. we all have traumatic experiences from traveling but that shouldn't stop us. cheers!

Christian | Lakad Pilipinas said...

Pucha namang discrimination yan. Hope you and your buddy's okay now. Grabe ha, mapapa PI ka talaga.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ching,,,I will post this on my FB and Twitter ok? Glad you guys are all right...-lani

Anonymous said...

grabe naman sa discrimination yan sa mga pinoy! i swear i will never go to Indonesia.. i think tama lang Ms. Chyng na ireport mo yung nangyari sa DFA. Obviously, harassment ang nangyari, just because you were Filipinos.. Tama ka mga Putanginang Indonesian yan!!

Anonymous said...

tama that you kept your cool. tama din that you showed strength. any weakness and they will exploit. almost happened to me before. pero I said: "my luggage is locked. bring your dog to sniff my bags. prove to me what you are suspicious of." they let me pass.

best that your travel luggage have as few compartments as possible. secure them all with padlocks. hold the key. only open in front of both you & them.

Anonymous said...

Stupid Indonesian Police! sumpain yang mga indonesian police na yan..... mga hinayupak mga anak ng titing......... sana karmahin cla.... kaya pla nag kakalindol dyan sa lugar na yan e kasi puro mga kahinayupak laman ng isip nila....

blindmutedeaf said...

omg. may bali trip pa naman kme sa august :(

Anonymous said...

hello my names is also dyan.
went to Bali for holiday with my mama and friends.
it was also very horrifying incident.
I shall not set foot in Bali as well... when we came out all our bags were checked plus the hand and even jewelries were asked to be put in the bastket.
then there was touting in all taxi's, even worst than Pinas. and not to mention police , immigration officer and the rest look like hoodlooms.. (very Unsightly) plus YEs, the do not speak english or speak very little.
.. we arrived almost 7 pm then we realized 50sgd to rinngit may not be enough for dinner we decided to change money near our hotel. J POppies II.
all of them almost have same rate. and we chose the highest but the moment we go in, they will say our boss not in. so we decided to choose those that will have AUTHOrized MOney Exchange.
....wow ang bilis ng kamay ng guy...
he will count correctly but the moment i count it lacking na nag 100,000 rupiah... we exchnage the money back and forth 4 times. until i realized that my heart was pounding so loudly bec i reli cannot see when he gets the money and how.. may magic nga cxa.. i know something was amiss... so i said "No deal" u dun give me the right money... tapos at last sabi nung guy... " bec commission madame...grrrr...
galit na galit na kami.. ako.. 8;30 na by this time we are freaking hungry pwedi na kami kumain ng tao.. nag lakad kami to find atm...and my mom said check your bag and yourself in case anything went missing.. YUP..
my watch was not in my wrist anymore...
so after 10 min asking people of POLice and no one seems to understand.. one said in the corner.. du lng yung police sa rotunda.. ng chika2x nag smoke2x may dala pang 'dog sniffer' ba yun na malaki...
we explained tpos bumalik kami sa money exchnage.. they did not speak in English so d namain alam ano ang ask nila.. or kunsabo ba...
so after punta nadaw kami sa police station to file a formal complaint.. we asked the poice to give us the guys names. sabi d daw impt ang impt ma file daw kasi alam na daw nila yung place..
by 9pm sakay na kami sa car na luma.. at pumunta sa police na police station an luma. may cockroaches and 4 lang naka uniform. the rest hindi . tpos d namin alam mag ka kilaal ba dun sila or hindi.
nung nag bigay ng paper nag ask sila sa names nung guy.. grrrr.... ibang police na to.. yung nag hatid umuwi na.. d pala nila inindorse, ULIt na naman kami sa story namin. YUng isang police nag lalaro lang ng SOLITAIRE sa computer nya.

tops na alis kami dun 12am na... I RELI HATE BALI as in.....

Anonymous said...

still dyan here... may intorrogation room din pala dun. tapos after namin may couple din na parang RUssian nawalan nag camera and nag file din ng complain... as in LOL talaga... sa mga foreigners na andun walang problem pero sa mga locals and Blinese nila... ewww.
after2 days when we decided to rent a car and driver... yung driver na binigay d ata alam san yung "UBOD" kasi 2 times siyang na wala paikot ikot kami yung 10 hrs namin 2hrs lng naka see kami outside anything 8 hrs kami sa car.. sarap upakan nung driver pero kasi mabait naawa na din kami. tapos sabi namin hanapin saan house ni Ketut sa "eat Pray and LOve" hahahahaha.. wala na ako masabi dinala kami sa ewan na lugare na may mga cows and carabao..siguro yung Ketut "COW ibig sabihin nun..

Anonymous said...

this is my bad experience in bali airport. i posted this last march 30, 2011 in pinoy exchange.

"mag ingat sa pagbayad ng terminal fee na 150,000 rupiah sa bali airport. cguraduhin na pagbayad, meron silang ilalagay na sticker sa boarding pass mo. naloko ako rito. when i paid, i did not check my boarding pass. i just walked away. nalaman ko na lang na kailangan ng sticker nung pumasok na ako sa boarding room. the guard asked for the sticker. nag complain ako sa airport authorities pero wala rin nangyari. they weren't helpful. i had to pay the terminal fee again. i had no rupiah already so i paid $20. kaya ingat po."

an iranian i met in bali told me the same experience as yours. he was asked to go to a room and the indonesian airport authorities checked his bag. he felt so bad.

The Wifey's Journal said...

Oh my! That's terrible. I would feel the same way. Thank heavens, both of you are okay. Thank God, hindi kayo na frame up. I now fear going to Indonesia. I understand na travel diet ka muna ngayon. You'll get over it and start exploring the world again.

Anonymous said...

half of me is totally and absolutely enraged by those Indonesian immigration officials, yet the other half nanggagalaiti din sa mga karumal dumal na pinag gagagawa ng mga kababayang Pinoy!! those officials could have done random inspection in a more decent manner, but of course, they had to be haughty about it - siempre, nagyayabang dahil nasa teritoryo nila, kumbaga ni hindi ka makapalag to air your valid protests dahil baka walanghiyain ka (which btw, they already did, only it could have gotten far worse!!) at sa galit ko naman sa mga kapwa ko Pinoy, we have earned the notoriety the world over - sa Guam at iba pang entry points sa America, sa Japan, sa China, sa Singapore, Middle East, at kung saan saan pa..the saddest part is that, we, legitimate travellers, have to sometimes suffer the consequences of our being Pinoy!!

it's been a real harrowing experience for you and your friend, something that will certainly take a long while to forget. it is easy for people to say file a complaint or report to the Phil Embassy there etc etc....but Phil embassies are another notorious lot!! madadagdagan lang ang sama ng loob nyo! anyway, as they say, just charge it to experience..as the saying goes, what does not kill you can only make you stronger...we all learn a thing or two - even from the most unfortunate events in our lives....carry on with your travels and enjoy! nothing and no one can dampen our Pinoy spirit for long! :)

Anonymous said...

yeah, planning to go there pa naman next month to visit a friend. Let us just not use the term "Indonesians" because by doing this we are being racist ourselves... more appropriate if we say "airport security or police." But i think what happened to you guys are the worst, Our government should take this very seriously and take urgent and appropriate measures.

Anonymous said...

Hi im a Filipino from Singapore and im a Permanent Resident and stayed here for quite a long time. I was shocked and disappointed how Indonesian Immigration treated you guys. My sympathy is with. I will spread this message to all Pinoy Organization here in SG at least they will know what Indonesian Immigration treated our fellow countrymen. I travel a lot of times but for this instance i will block all my Indonesia trips in my list. Take care and godbless to all. I AM PROUD TO BE A FILIPINO at Mabuhay tayong mga Pinoy.

Lovingly Mama said...

oh my goodness! is there any authority here in the philippines covering that? ano ba yan! pwde lang nila gawin sa pinoy yan? tapos kung foreigners ang andito sa pinas parang god sila kung turingin!

Eds said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I can imagine how you and your friend must have felt! Nung dumaan ng xray yung hand-carry baggage ko sa SG stinop din ako dahil sa nail scissors ko, yun palang sobrang nagpanic na ako, eh pano pa yung dalhin sa holding room :O Buti hindi kaya sinet-up para may madagdag sila sa wall nila :|

And thank you thank you for the heads up! I wanted to go to Bali, pero thanks to this post, nevermind!! Sa beach nalang sa Philippines!!!

Anonymous said...

sobrang traumatic naman! pero buti nalang nakabalik na kau ng pinas ng ligtas. salamat sa pagshare, it will serve as a warning para sa bang nagbabalak bumyahe sa labas ng bansa lalo na sa indonesia.

pa share ng link sa FB ha.

~eds

RIZALENIO said...

Ohno. Hay. Sana di na maulit ito sa iba pa nating mga kababayan. This is very traumatic.

Unknown said...

tama lang ate na you blogged this incident...

dapat pure english mo para kung mababasa man ng mga hinayupak na mababahong nilalang na mga itu ang kabulukan nila..

yes, granting na many of our brothers and sisters have been found with illegal substance pero that doesn't mean we are all like that...

nakikiisa ako sa sentiments mo... at sa bawat irita na naramdaman mo.. parang nadarama ko din..

i don't wanna end up like you two girls have been into.. such is unbearable ordeal...

i'm so sorry for that and thankful na din kasi nalagpasan nyo itu...

let this incidence be known.. the we Filipinos are not DRUG TRAFFICERS!!!

there's just some.. but that doesn't mean everyones alike... that's pathetic!

yes, they maybe doing their SOP's, they maybe doing their jobs.. fair enough but i just hope they do it with a heart!!!

WCA Yash Travel said...

I feel so sorry na naexperience nyo un, at believe ako sa katatagan nyo. if i were on your shoes baka maiyak ako. I plan to visit Bali next year pero pag iisipan ko munang maigi.

Usba said...

sorry to hear about this. glad you are okay.

japanesecake said...

thanks for posting this. At least we travelers has this knowledge na of how they treat Filipino travelers there.

Purple said...

Hey, I read your blog and that was a really terrifying ordeal. Glad you and your friend are safe.

My friend and I are going to Yogyakarata, Indonesia this month. Your entry made me rethink if we should still go. But if we decided to push through with this trip, anong mabibigay mo na suggestion or tip so we can avoid this? Salamat in advance.

Anonymous said...

I`m so saddened by this. Every year, we see to it that the whole family will join the trip. Thinking that it may also happen to us especially to my kids, I have a 16 year old daughter and an 11 year old son, natatakot na ko. Well. . . glad to know that you`re both okay. Thanks for sharing and May God bless you both on your next trips. :)

Anonymous said...

Rights nyo na yung na violate dun a! Pasalamat lang sila at hindi eskandaloso ang mga Pinoy.

Hindi natin ginagawa dito sa Pilipinas yung ganyan tapos mararanasan nyo pa sa ibang bansa. Isa pa parang may something doon sa pagpapahubad tapos hahawakan lang yung chan! WTH? ano yun trip? Pasalamat sila hindi tayo ganyan sa mga turista na pumupunta dito.

Yung leaders kasi natin ang may problema dito. Imagine kung ilang Pinoy ang nakapila sa deathrow sa China dahil sa drug cases. Pero dito Chinese nationals, anong ginagawa?? Nagssmuggle ng kung ano ano -- mula sa damit hanggang sa latest gadgets! Worse, nagtatayo pa ng SHABU LAB! tapos ano? Ilang araw lang laya na. Eh putang ina pala nila e. Sana lahat ng chino ginanyan na natin.

Kahit siguro magpatulong kayo sa embassy natin dun, sobrang bagal ng justice para sa inyo.

Harrasment na yun e! Naku mga iliterado talaga, to think na OFFICERS kuno sila! Nakakagalit! >.<


-pjacob

Anonymous said...

kawawa naman kayo,,,, bat ganun na lng kababa ang tingin nila sa ting mga Pilipino?,,,

Anonymous said...

Grabe nakakatruma tlga nangyari sa inyu, cguro saken mangyari yan, God baka nagbreakdown n ako sa sobrang sama ng loob, at kahihiyan.
Ang kakapal ng mga mukha nila, sana makarating to kay PNOY para maaksyunan nmn nila, sobrang naaapi n taung mga pinoy!
Mabuti n lng safe kayo nakauwi dito sa pinas.
Thanks for sharing, I'll tell my friends not to visit BALI!

Jenn Ji Hyun said...

I wish there's a way to get justice for what they had done. What about the trouble they put you into? Shouldn't they be paying for damages? This is just sad.

byaheng barok said...

as a fellow filipino, a woman and a traveller, i feel for the two of you. in all my years of travelling in asian countries, i have not experienced any hostility such as what you've experienced. my friends and i have been to bali way back in 2007 and thank God none of these things happened to us. it is indeed unfair to label the rest of the pinoys as drug traffickers, in the same way that middle easterners are labeled as terrorists. i hope nobody else gets to experience this again in bali or in any other country.

Anonymous said...

Grow up you guys.

It could happen to anyone and in any country, including Philippines. I had similar experience in Malaysia and Singapore.

It happens also in US. When 19 arabs bombed WTC, all arabs look alike (including Pinoy or Indonesian)will be profiled when entering US.

In your case, this was happened to you because of a crime committed by a Pinay in the past. Of course, if you are a pinay, you will be the first subjected to a profiling.

Yes, there is always a couple of stupid, uneducated Immigration officer overreact to such thing.

And we also have this kind of officers in NAIA.

benjie b said...

Thank God for your safety.
And thanks for the courage to share for others to learn and avoid the same unfortunate situation you experienced.

I hope that you or the bloggers here share this to our media until it reaches the nerves of our government and do something. Not wait until a Filipno is in the death row again... for frame up and harassment?

Mabuhay pa rin ang Pilipinas dahil sa mga Pinoy na katulad niyo.

P.S. I will do my fair share of publishing this to my network. God bless!

Anonymous said...

I am so proud to both of you, despite of this traumatic event, calm pa rin kayo.
i dont know what will be my reaction, i think i'll get mad and dunno what will happen next.
May magagawa kaya govt natin about this kind of harassment?

Anonymous said...

Been to Bali twice and fortunately, i didn't get to experience what you you've gone through. And I didn't have any idea before of how corrupt the police are and how vulnerable we could be in this place until i read just recently a book about Bali's most notorious jail,(the book is) called HOTEL K. I shivered while reading it coz i thought it could easily happen to me; accuse me of bringing in drugs or them planting one inside my bag, just like what happened to the 19yr old Aussie student. Sobrang kumpyansa ko, I even went there the first time all by myself. I was terrified with your story. Let's just be careful, doubly careful and be extra alert when going to places like this.
God bless you and Diyan.

Cielo of Brown Pinay said...

napaka mean nila...sobrang sasama nila...i can just imagine your agony that time...mahirap makarecover from the traumatic experience...moreso if pinag ipunan mo pa ang isa sa mga maitututing na dream travel...lalo pa at it is your way to celebrate your birthday....

nathaniel said...

thats the usual treatment talaga sa indonesia... sa jakarta lang naman ganun... kahit kami ng mga crewmates ko na sumakay ng barko dun sa dumai... sa jakarta hinarang kami kasi kelangan namin magbigay ng pera sa kanila kung hindi i hohold nila kami... and they want us to give them 200usd/pax... alam mo yung may hinahabol ka pa na flight and gusto mo pa magrest ng konti before going to work... anyhow, yun lang naman experience ko sa country nila... bottomline is yung mga tao nila sa custom are always like that... basta filipino gagawan nila ng way na makuhaan ng pera, always treating us like we're always inferior sa kanila... parang satin din kasi... been in a lot of places na rin... small people always do swindling with the use of their authority... basta next time mag ingat na lang lagi... sa indonesia ganyan tlaga especially sa jakarta... sad but true... sayang yng mga places na magandang spot for vacation...

and sorry to hear about your case chyng and dyanie... kala ko kaming mga seaman lang nakaka-experience ng mga ganyan sa custom ng indonesia... basta tips ko na lang senyo... avoid going to this places na lang: kolkata,india.. russia.. ukraine... most places in africa...

police customs will try to make money out of anything againts you... basta magkapera lang yan...
kahit dito sa pilipinas may ganyan din... sasabihan ka lang "boss, pangkape naman"... and hindi tatanggap mga yan ng less than 10usd...

so ingat na lang sa next tour nyo... dont let that incident ruin your crave...treat it na lang as an another obstacle in your next adventure... and make sure na hindi na mauulit yun...

Manila Girl said...

You deserve a formal apology, at the very least. Grabe, I can't imagine how I would have handled that kind of situation. I'm sure I would have broken down.

Anonymous said...

THAT WAS REALLY TRAUMATIC!
The reason why they are not telling what is their purpose, is because they can't explain it in english.
ILLITIRATE MORON!

Anonymous said...

Meron din akong bad experience pero sa U.S. naman. Illegal entry daw hehehe. Completo ang papers ko ang nag kulang lang ay yung Agent ko na kokontakin ko dun. Bad experience talaga pero maganda ang treatment nila sa akin. 2yrs din akong nahirapang matulog ng maayos. I keep asking my self, Why me? Siguro malakas ang loob ko at that time nsa room ako ksama ang immigration officer hindi ako kinabahan. I just prayed na sana walang masamang mangyari. Lam nyo kelangan lang nating kalimutan ang lahat at isiping aral sa atin ang mga nangyayari. Masamang-masama ang loob ko, hindi dahil sa nangyari sa akin kundi sa sistema dito sa atin. Hindi masyadong mahigpit. paano nakakalabas ang may dalang drugs na papunta sa ibang bansa????? Immigation and Costoms Officers natin namamasyal lang at nag kokwentohan. Please naman lahat damay dito.

Angie said...

I know how it feels ... my husband and I had an almost similar experience while going to Turkey for a vacation. We were held longer at the immigration counter for long ... longer than any other nationalities just because we are Pinoys ... It's a sad reality indeed!

Thanks for sharing your experience ... we'll avoid Indonesia in our future trips.

Anonymous said...

I read it. Airport security and police can legally do those "random checks". Aside from the "coz ur beautiful" remark and singling you out because you're Filipinos, everything seemed standard and according to protocol.

Yes, it must be terrifying, you guys were alone. It was your first time for a spot check. Foreigners on a foreign land. But they didn't do anything illegal right? You were body searched by a woman officer. They let you go before the allowed time for detention passed. No rights have been violated.

Sa ating mga pinoy, oo galit ang una nating mararamdaman pero kahit saang internasyonal na airport ay legal ang nangyari. May diskriminasyon at hindi propesyonal ang mga pulis nila oo. Mag pasalamat na lang tayo na walang nangyari na mas masama pa sa ating mga pilipinang kapatid.

GingGoy said...

hmmm...i'm open to that boycott Bali and Indonesia for Filipino tourists...what say you? I'll post it on my blog later :P

Anonymous said...

Grabe lang hindi ko kinaya yun experience nyo. I was angry, terrified and traumatized just by reading your post about it. Everytime I travel abroad, I am always paranoid about things like that, kase nga naman territory nila yon so kung trip nila na i-set-up ka ng kung anu man na "bawal" sa bansa nila eh kahit innocent ka wala kang choice. Good thing you both kept your cool. Napahanga ako sa inyo the way you handled yourself and the situation. Hindi biro yon.

klomster said...

Nakakatakot naman! Very traumatic experience. Sobrang unfair ng treatment nila. Di na dapat magbakasyon dun ang mga Pinoy dahil baka mangyari din ulit yung nangyari sa inyo. Kung patuloy sila sa ginagawa nila, sila rin ang magssuffer kasi mababawasan ang tourism nila!

lakwatserong tatay said...

hi, i do hope being one of the last commenter on this post, you are really both fine....sana nireport nyo lahat yong nangyari sa inyo sa embassy natin...
sorry sila isa sa malaking pagkakamali nila ang ginawa nila, ang i-critize lahat ng filipino's as drug traffickers...sana sa lahat ng nakaalam ng stories nyo ni dyanie....is i boycott ang indonesia, make a travel ban from our own department of tourism....sana naman nababasa nyo toh....

gflatmajor said...

Sana ganyan di kahigpit saten. Death penalty rin sa mga ibang lahing pumupunta sa pinas para magdala mg drugs.

Anonymous said...

did you get their names?

LJ said...

That was really unfair! I have been to Indonesia (Bali-once, Jakarta-thrice) and fortunately never experienced such treatment just because I'm a Filipino(Filipina). I suspect that they did that just to harass you (as you said they're comment was you are beautiful ladies). Well, bilib ako sa inyo for how you behaved kc if I were you guys I would probably loose my temper and swear at them to the top of my lungs!!!(oh well atleast pagkatapos na wala silang makita and they let me go).

Anonymous said...

hi there! kevin here friend of dyan...all i can say is...PUTANG INA NGA NILA! my gosh! alam kong matakaw yang si dyanie pero never kong naisip na magdrugs yan! go to hell indonesian immigration officers! because of this, I WILL NEVER GO TO INDONESIA! NEVER!!! AS IN!!!

Anonymous said...

hay kung skin dn nangyari ung gnon d q alm ggwin q hanga q sa inyo d kau ngpkita ng pgksindak..myybng cla kc andon cla s teritoryo nila.mxdo clang mpnghusga bt pinoy lng b ang lging gumgwa ng mli??cla nga dn db kc my mga k2lad nila n gumwa ng klokohn d2 s pinas d nmn cla nkkrnsng ng gnong klseng treatment s mga pinoy..sludo poh q s ktpngn nyo cguro ung iba kht wlang kslnn ngkkrong bigla dhl wlang spt n lks ng loob pra mgtnong at d lht ng nhulihn ng drugs s bnsa nila gumgmit n minsn cla p ang biktima..

Unknown said...

OMMO!!! nakakapanindig balahibo... as in... and thank you for sharing your experience. nakaka inis yung mga taong yun.

and you two were really brave.. again thank you for sharing this even if it brings back bad memories..

Anonymous said...

Hi BLOGGER CHYNG,


I feel SORRY for what happened to you and your friend.

Since natapos na yung ordeal nyo at may trauma na kayo. Buti nalang di kayo na set-up.
WHAT are you trying yo achieve here? Whats NEXT?

Mag BLOG lang, my advice is to make a formal complain sa Philippine authorities, if ayaw mo sa Media sa PINAS.

Intayin nyo ba na maulit ito sa ibang kababayan natin? if my sisters or my friends will experience this.. SANA wag, hayaan ko lang ba sila MAG BLOG na lang.

This is a serious ISSUES, kung may malasakit kayo sa ating mga kababayan na magpupunta dun.. Gawin nyo ang TAMA at mag file na protest sa DFA or sa MEDIA. Para makatulong kayo sa mga kababayan.

Dont just blog. Sorry po ha. i want you to realize you have to make a STAND on this. I know you will understand that this things has to STOP..

San said...

sis this article made me really upset. i love to travel as well and i've been to your blog a couple of times kasi i also browse the gt forums. parang hindi naman makatarungan yung ginawa nila. it's a good thing that you guys kept your calm kasi kung ako nasa situation ninyo, hindi ko na alam kung anong ginawa ko lalo na kung binody search pa ako. i'll post the link to this entry on my fb wall, hopefully to serve as a warning to everyone. thanks for sharing, sis.

Anonymous said...

Hi Chyng, I understand your ordeal. I too was in a similar situation. 24Aug'10 was my arrival in NewYork. Since it wa not my first time there, I was confident of the procedures and have my documents ready. Passing the immigrations was a breeze, not until they stopped me during the customs check after. Without any explanation, they sternly instructed me to go to a room. Inside, they poured out all the contents of my luggage and item by item, the officer asked me to identify the items. Upon asking what was the problem, the officer simply ingonred me. Nothing suspiscious was discovered onmy belongings. I thought the ordeal was over, but the worst was still to come. A black Negro officer came in. He asked me to strip, strip everything. Then He put on his rubber gloves. (I leave the rest to your imagination.) They held me for about 5 hours. None of them explained why I was searched for... the only last thing I heard from them was "you f*&cking incompetent Filipino"..i didnt undestand why such racial hatred?..later did I learn, that there was failed bus hostage rescue in Manila that happened the day before. the Philippines became the laughing icon in front of the world and I became a victim of discrimination

- mark

spawninpol said...

I've been there in Bali around 2009 good thing I did not experience this. But damn! why do they need to do this with innocent people..very terrifying. I would like to go back in Bali but now maybe tama na nakarating na ako dun. Hayaan mo si lord na lang bahala sa kanila. Hope you'll have a safe trip next time without this traumatic experience anymore. thanks for sharing :)

harvey_ramos2000 said...

i must commend you and your friend for being so strong, for not breaking down.. lets just all hope all this bad image tagged to all pinoys will soon diminish.. God bless!

Tsina said...

Aw. Nakakatakot naman yan, Chyng. Sana mas okay na kayo ni Dyan.

Grabe, kung sa akin nangyari yan, ewan ko lang. :(

foureyedguy said...

aww. ngayon ko lang nabasa chyng. (im a reader of your blog).. hope you are OK now...

Nonoy said...

If I were in that situation I would smash my luggage into the officers' faces; You should file a complaint against these two officers; or report it to the immigration or Philippine Embassy.

Kate said...

In reply to an INDONESIAN GUY NAMED "HARI" who posted as "Anonymous" (time stamped: June 2, 2011 6:02 PM):

I bet you are not good looking either. So dont flatter yourself also. I have been to your country (Indonesia). I never saw a single good looking guy. You guys looked like hoodlums.

In short: I think you're ugly.

Cheers!

Kate

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