Filipinos made to go back home

Four Filipinos who entered China on a group visitor visa but left the tour group to overstay have been sentenced to deportation as well as imprisonment, detention, and fined up to 3,000 yuan (US$447), the Shanghai No.1 Intermediate People's Court said on Tuesday.

The four women, whose names were not released by the court, wanted to stay in China to make money by working as maids.

The chief culprit was given seven months in jail with deportation and a fine of 3,000 yuan, while her three accomplices all got a six-month detention, a fine of 1,000 yuan and deportation.

According to the court, the chief culprit  found the nation's household service market is profitable, and that Filipino maids are especially popular among the employers. 

She came up with an idea that she could bring her family members and friends to China.

She then contacted her neighbor and two sisters, asking them to apply for a group visitor visa to China.

The four did not appeal.