Singer Chris Brown has been barred by the Philippines government from leaving the country until he settles a contract dispute with a group that accused him of skipping out on a 2014 New Year's Eve concert.
Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), described by the
Australian Associated Press as a conservative, indigenous Christian sect, charged that Brown didn't honor a contract to perform in Manila last year at an arena owned by the group.
The country's justice department told Brown he has to get government clearance to leave, proving that he had no outstanding legal obligations in the Philippines, said immigration bureau spokeswoman Elaine Tan.
In the meantime, a justice department official said authorities are checking to see if the complaint by Iglesia ni Cristo warrants criminal charges against the singer and promoter.
Brown performed in the Philippines on Tuesday night and was scheduled to take off Wednesday morning for a gig in Hong Kong, but then the legal problems popped up,
TMZ reported.
Brown's promoter, John Michael Pio Roda, was the subject of an immigration lookout bulletin as well and needed government clearance,
KTLA-TV reported.
Brown told concert officials he couldn't attend the 2014 Philippines concert because he had lost his passport, AAP reported.
The Philippines hold on Brown is the latest trouble for the 25-year-old Grammy-winning singer whose legal problems appear to follow him around the world. In February, Brown couldn't get into Canada for a show because of his criminal background, according to TMZ.
Brown's home in California was broken into and ransacked earlier this month while his aunt was inside the house. TMZ reported that authorities think the intruders likely knew Brown.
His legal troubles really went public in 2009 when Brown assaulted fellow singer Rihanna, who he was dating at the time, the night before the Grammy Awards in February 2009, according to KTLA-TV.
Brown entered rehab facilities in 2013 and 2014 but was arrested by Los Angeles County sheriff deputies after a judge revoked his probation. He was released from jail in June 2014.
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