MANILA, Philippines – Contrary to earlier reports that he was deported from Indonesia allegedly for failure to secure the appropriate working visa, international singing sensation Christian Bautista maintained that it was just a "misunderstanding" and that he was not deported.

After news of his alleged deportation broke out in Jakarta Globe on Jan. 27, the issue immediately landed on Indonesia’s top trending topics list, which prompted the multi-awarded singer to explain the issue.

The "Star in a Million" alumnus posted on his Twitter account (@xtianbautista) Friday, “Hi friends! No I was not deported, there was just some visa issues that needed clarification with the immigration in Indonesia everything is ok, I’ll be back in Indonesia during valentine’s day :)”

Jakarta Globe reported that a certain immigration official Herawan Sukoaji said that Bautista was “being deported for disrespecting and disobeying Indonesia’s 30-day visa regulations, which prohibit foreigners from working while in the country.”

It added that he is already “barred from re-entering Indonesia for six months” due to his “violation.”

More, the article noted that the singer was “pulled in for questioning and had his passport confiscated” after it was discovered that he had staged a performance in Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang, on Thursday

According to Sukoaji, Bautista, who has a large fan base in Indonesia, has traveled plenty of times to the country for TV guest appearances and performances.
“But this time, the sponsor did not fully understand the immigration regulations, so Christian used the free visa,” Sukoaji said.


In a statement flashed onscreen in “TV Patrol” on its Friday episode, Bautista’s manager, Carlo Orosa echoed his ward’s claim, adding, "Whatever the problems in the immigration was legally settled.”

"He is on his way to Singapore and will be back in Manila tomorrow [Jan. 28]. He will be back in Indonesia for a Valentine show at the prestigious Hotel Mulia," the statement continued.