One Direction’s Preemptive Bond

The bonds would be forfeited if the two men were caught using drugs or “promoting illegal drugs” in any way during their stay in the Asian country. The bureau’s action was in response to a demand from an anti-drug advocacy group that protested the band’s appearance. A video surfaced last year allegedly showing the two cited members smoking marijuana during their Peru tour.

“The condition is intended to protect the public interest should the band members commit any violation during their stay in the Philippines,” said a bureau representative, who added that the concerts would be canceled if the producer failed to post the bond beforehand. Apparently the producer did just that, as the concerts were allowed to go ahead and, based on various media reports, were a huge success.

However, that wasn’t enough for the advocacy group, which also asked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to provide officers who would “monitor” the band while they were in the country. After a meeting with the concert promoters, it was agreed that certain parties would be given passes in order to make sure the band behaved.

As it turned out, however, Malik opted to leave the tour, because of “stress.” Malik did not show up for a photo shoot in Hong Kong prior to the band’s flight to Manila, and NME reported that he had flown back to the UK “in order to be with his family.”

A One Direction rep said that the other four members would “continue with their performances in Manila and Jakarta” without him. The sudden departure is being blamed on the attention that Malik attracted while the band was in Thailand, where he was photographed with his arm around a young unidentified woman.

The Twittersphere exploded with speculation that he was cheating on his fiancee, Perrie Edwards of the group Little Mix, an assertion that Malik vehemently denied.

It was originally expected that Malik would rejoin the band in South Africa, but subsequent reports say he has left the group for good.