MANILA: Instead of facing charges for assault and battery, the two Filipino transwomen involved in a brawl in Bangkok may just be deported and obliged to pay a fine, said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega on Thursday (March 7).
De Vega, however, emphasised that the decision on the matter has yet to be finalised.
“We will be able to confirm this before the day ends, but they are eyeing to just make the Filipino transgenders pay bail or fine. They are the two who are being charged — pay the fine and then just be deported,” said de Vega in an interview over Radyo 630.
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De Vega, in a separate text message to INQUIRER.net, explained that this is regular procedure under Thailand law since “they accepted the charges.”
“Fine of 5K baht each being settled by [the] embassy,” he added.
Meanwhile, de Vega appealed to all Filipinos abroad: Don’t fight with the locals because that’s their territory.
“Also, well... we know emotions can get very high, the embassy is there to help you. But it is important that we maintain the good image of Filipinos in other countries,” he explained.
The brawl between Filipino and Thai transwomen occurred at a restaurant in Soi Sukhumvit 11 near Nana BTS station on Monday night. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
