Man Kept in ‘Horrific’ Jail Conditions in the Philippines After Girlfriend Alleges ‘Mistreatment’

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

Six years after leaving Scotland to pursue a Filipina he met online, 61-year-old Frank Bohlert has found himself loveless, penniless and inside a cramped prison cell in the Philippines. 

 

The divorced father-of-one initially found success in his newly adopted country, and was able to set up Twilights Rock Bistro, a business that he and his online sweetheart, Arlyn, managed for several years. 

However, an accusation got him locked up inside a holding cell with 11 other people in Bagong Diwa jail in Taguig, Manila.

According to The Press and Journal, his girlfriend had alleged him of mistreating her, and he is now being kept in prison despite not having any charges filed against him. The detention center also has other foreigners who are being held without charge.

 

Since his incarceration on September 14, his relatives claimed that his belongings — including his car, phone and laptop — have been stolen from his house.

Immigration officials have so far refused to authorize his release despite appeals from family members. His relatives fear that he may be detained for a long period of time without a proper court procedure.

 

Bohlert wrote about his situation in a series of Facebook posts this week:

 

“I have been illegally detained, no arrest, no charges, no nothing, only allegations against me from HER.”

“A friend went to my house to get some things for me, she said that everything is now gone, my bank books, chequebooks, immigration documents, cell phone, laptop, even my car is gone! Is there no justice in the Philippines!”

 

According to Bohlert’s stepbrother, Graeme Simpson, his family sought the assistance of the Foreign Office to get him home, the Daily Record reports. 

 

“He is stuck at the moment and we’re trying to get him out of there but it is not easy,” Simpson was quoted as saying.

“His visa was about to run out so he was getting ready to go to the immigration office and renew it. He got a knock on the door from the police and she made these allegations of cruelty. They took him and locked him in a cell.”

 

“He’s sleeping on this tiny mattress,” Simpson continued. “Human rights people went in to see them in the cell on Tuesday and they were horrified by the conditions. It is totally overcrowded.”

Simpson, who is working with Bohlert’s daughter Eva to bring him back home, explained that his stepbrother traveled to the Philippines to start a new life.

He noted that on his last trip back to Scotland two years ago, Bohlert seemed to be enjoying life in his adopted country.

“He seemed to be fine, he has been running a bar out there,” Simpson said. “Everything is in her name because only Filipino people can buy property.”

Scotland’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently in contact with the Philippine authorities to work on Bohlert’s release.

 

https://nextshark.com/frank-bohlert-scotland-philippines-jailed-for-mistreatment/

[Auds 223]

If he did mistreat, abuse her - just as well.  Too many get away with too much.

[mhis82 13]

Philippines is designed for one thing, spend money. You will never be able to make money, but anyhow. My advise to every westerner. Go to Philippines have fun, and leave. Come back to Philippines have more fun and leave.

This is how it should work.

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

18 hours ago, mhis82 said:

Philippines is designed for one thing, spend money. You will never be able to make money, but anyhow. My advise to every westerner. Go to Philippines have fun, and leave. Come back to Philippines have more fun and leave.

This is how it should work.

I had a good buddy from Australia who worked in Cebu area, he was still on his Aussie company payroll and worked in Cebu he did some type of ocean excavation.  I had good friend from who works for Nokia he was transferred and worked a couple of years in Manila area, he was from the Netherlands I met him while he was working in USA.

 

 

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

19 hours ago, Auds said:

If he did mistreat, abuse her - just as well.  Too many get away with too much.

If

 

Looks like they would of filed charges. Seems to me it more of a scam on her part to clean out his bank account and personal items while he is locked up.  As has been stated many times a foreigner in Philppines has no rights.........

[mhis82 13]

1 hour ago, Chris Duffy said:

I had a good buddy from Australia who worked in Cebu area, he was still on his Aussie company payroll and worked in Cebu he did some type of ocean excavation.  I had good friend from who works for Nokia he was transferred and worked a couple of years in Manila area, he was from the Netherlands I met him while he was working in USA.

 

 

I was talking about a westerner going to Philippines and though his money and opening business in his girlfriend name or start a partnership. I know many people who work for multinational companies in Philippines which is the best. If I go to Philippines on a job offer I will take it right away:)

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

21 hours ago, Auds said:

If he did mistreat, abuse her - just as well.  Too many get away with too much.

Have you been to the Philippines, are you from there? If not then why comment on this? What probably happened is someone wanted some money he said no and the Philippine citizen accused him of something and they took him to jail. 

Edited October 30, 2017 by cyberfx1024

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

On 10/29/2017 at 3:46 AM, Chris Duffy said:

Six years after leaving Scotland to pursue a Filipina he met online, 61-year-old Frank Bohlert has found himself loveless, penniless and inside a cramped prison cell in the Philippines. 

 

The divorced father-of-one initially found success in his newly adopted country, and was able to set up Twilights Rock Bistro, a business that he and his online sweetheart, Arlyn, managed for several years. 

However, an accusation got him locked up inside a holding cell with 11 other people in Bagong Diwa jail in Taguig, Manila.

According to The Press and Journal, his girlfriend had alleged him of mistreating her, and he is now being kept in prison despite not having any charges filed against him. The detention center also has other foreigners who are being held without charge.

 

Since his incarceration on September 14, his relatives claimed that his belongings — including his car, phone and laptop — have been stolen from his house.

Immigration officials have so far refused to authorize his release despite appeals from family members. His relatives fear that he may be detained for a long period of time without a proper court procedure.

 

Bohlert wrote about his situation in a series of Facebook posts this week:

 

“I have been illegally detained, no arrest, no charges, no nothing, only allegations against me from HER.”

“A friend went to my house to get some things for me, she said that everything is now gone, my bank books, chequebooks, immigration documents, cell phone, laptop, even my car is gone! Is there no justice in the Philippines!”

 

According to Bohlert’s stepbrother, Graeme Simpson, his family sought the assistance of the Foreign Office to get him home, the Daily Record reports. 

 

“He is stuck at the moment and we’re trying to get him out of there but it is not easy,” Simpson was quoted as saying.

“His visa was about to run out so he was getting ready to go to the immigration office and renew it. He got a knock on the door from the police and she made these allegations of cruelty. They took him and locked him in a cell.”

 

“He’s sleeping on this tiny mattress,” Simpson continued. “Human rights people went in to see them in the cell on Tuesday and they were horrified by the conditions. It is totally overcrowded.”

Simpson, who is working with Bohlert’s daughter Eva to bring him back home, explained that his stepbrother traveled to the Philippines to start a new life.

He noted that on his last trip back to Scotland two years ago, Bohlert seemed to be enjoying life in his adopted country.

“He seemed to be fine, he has been running a bar out there,” Simpson said. “Everything is in her name because only Filipino people can buy property.”

Scotland’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently in contact with the Philippine authorities to work on Bohlert’s release.

 

https://nextshark.com/frank-bohlert-scotland-philippines-jailed-for-mistreatment/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/4651343/scot-refuses-deportation-from-philippines-jail-so-he-can-fight-charges-against-him/

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

20 hours ago, mhis82 said:

I was talking about a westerner going to Philippines and though his money and opening business in his girlfriend name or start a partnership. I know many people who work for multinational companies in Philippines which is the best. If I go to Philippines on a job offer I will take it right away:)

Gotcha. Its a mixed bag from what I have seen. 50/50 chance of it going well or turning out bad.  Me personally I wouldn't do it.  

 

Laws and rules there are not friendly to outside investments especially from places like USA or Aussie or UK...

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

19 hours ago, cyberfx1024 said:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/4651343/scot-refuses-deportation-from-philippines-jail-so-he-can-fight-charges-against-him/

I  think he is fighting an uphill battle that will only end up with him loosing in the end.  Bad decision in my opinion.

 

I wish him the best