Filipina charged for stealing 5 watches worth $1.01M

 

Entrance of Deerhill Park, where the alleged theft happened (Wikimedia photo)

A Filipina domestic helper appeared in Fan Ling magistracy Friday, charged with stealing four Rolex watches from her employer’s house worth a total of $1 million plus a third branded Citizen,  valued at $10,000.

Jeanny V. Llarenas, 51 years old, is accused of stealing the watches from the detached house in Deerhill Bay, a luxury residential complex in Tai Po, between June 1 and October 15 this year, when the alleged theft was discovered.

The first charge is for the theft of two Rolex watches, each valued at $250,000; and the second is for the theft of two more Rolex watches with the same value, as well as a Citizen watch worth $10,000.

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No plea was taken and Llarenas was returned to jail until the next hearing of the case on December 12.

Media reports said Llarenas, mistakenly described earlier as an Indonesian, was arrested at around 9:50pm on Wednesday, Oct. 15, after a 35-year-old resident of the Deerhill house reported to the police that two luxury watches were missing.

Subsequent investigation revealed the loss of two more Rolex watches, plus a high-value Citizen watch. They were allegedly found inside her bag, about to be pawned.

More charges may follow, as Llarenas is still being investigated for 12 items of gold jewelry that were also reported as lost.

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All the items were said to be owned by Wong Tong-yiu.

Police who came to investigate subsequently arrested the defendant on suspicion of theft, under Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

She was charged in court after two days of investigation.

Employer of Indonesian illegal worker jailed 2 months

 

Both employer and illegal worker were sentenced at Shatin Court

A local grocery shop owner was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment on Friday after being found guilty of hiring an Indonesian illegal worker.

The Indonesian worker aged 51 years old was jailed for 15 months previously

The unnamed employer described as a male Hong Kong resident aged 57, was charged at Shatin Court or being an employer of a person who was not lawfully employable as he did not take adequate steps to ascertain the visa status of the worker.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, but was convicted after trial.

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He was arrested on March 13 by Immigration officers who raided his grocery store and arrested him for hiring the Indonesian, who turned out to be a recognizance paper holder applying for asylum, as a shop assistant.

In a statement, Immigration reminded the public that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable.

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Under the Immigration Ordinance the maximum penalty for an employer of an illegal worker, for example, an illegal immigrant, a person subject to deportation or overstayer, is liable to prosecution and could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to $500,000. 

The High Court has also ruled that the employer should be jailed immediately.

 

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According to the sentencing guidelines, employers take all practicable steps to determine whether a jobseeker is lawfully employable.

Apart from inspecting the applicant’s identity card, the employers must also make enquiries about the person and ensure that the answers would not cast reasonable doubt as to the lawful employability of the person.

Failure to do this would not be accepted as a defence on the employer’s behalf

It is also an offence for the employer not to inspect the job seeker’s valid passport or travel document if no permanent HK ID card could be presented

To report suspected illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

2 missing Filipinas found safe in Shatin

 

It's still unclear why Aleli and Imee decided to disappear

The two Filipina domestic helpers who had been reported missing for 12 days have been found unharmed, various reports quoting police said.

Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. confirmed the reports in a text message to The SUN. 

The two, Imee Mahilum Pabuaya, 24 and Aleli Perez Tibay, 33, were reportedly found by police at a shopping mall on Sui Wo Road in Fo Tan at about 10pm on Thursday.

They were said to be well and safe, and police said there was nothing suspicious in their disappearance.

No statement was issued as to why the two who were reported to be in a relationship, had left their respective employers without word, or why they did not tell  friends and family members what they were planning to do.

If their employers decided to terminate their respective contracts as soon as they disappeared on October 4, they will only have until tomorrow to remain in Hong Kong under the 14-day rule for FDHs.

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The police first posted a bulletin about their disappearance shortly after receiving separate missing-person reports on them, on Oct 6 and 8.

A surveillance camera captured them walking on Yeung Uk Road in Tsuen Wan at about 4:30pm on Oct.4 just before they disappeared. 

This prompted speculation that they had gotten lost while hiking, though they did not look dressed for the activity.

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Police launched a massive search for them on the hiking trails around Tsuen Wan, but decided to give it up Wednesday after receiving reports that they had been spotted in a nearby town.

Prior to this, the Philippine Consulate had received information from the police that the two were still in Hong Kong, as there were no Immigration records of them departing the city.

The Consulate advised netizens against speculating on their disappearance, particularly those who had initially said they must have gone on to a third country to work, particularly Poland.

There were also reports that the two were beset with debt problems, which could have prompted them to run away.

According to Consulate records, Imee had worked in Hong Kong for only nine months, while Aleli had been here since 2017.

 

 

 

 

DC to hear Pinay’s theft, 6-count fraud case

 

District Court (Google Maps photo)

An unemployed Filipina has found that she will be taken to the District Court over charges of stealing a wallet, a Rolex watch and mobile phone from a local man inside a hotel; then using his credit cards to buy groceries from convenience stores and a snack.

Magistrate Tsang Hing-tung today formalized the transfer of the case of Mylene Navarro, 48, from the Kowloon City Court after the prosecutor said the documents required were ready for the next hearing at District Court on Nov 4.

He advised her to apply for legal aid and do so right away so she could prepare for her case.

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In the first charge Navarro is accused of stealing a mobile phone, a Rolex watch and a wallet from a Chinese man in a hotel room in Yau Ma Tei.

Yau Ma Tei Police alleged that Navarro took the three items, worth about $96,095.50 and owned by a certain Lau, from a room in Rainbow City Inn on Pitt St. in Yau Ma Tei on Nov. 23 last year.

The wallet contained, among other things, five credit cards that would lead her to allegedly commit six  fraud offenses by using them on a one-day shopping spree. 

Fraud is punishable with 14 years in prison under section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.

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The six fraud charges were originally labelled as “obtaining property by deception” for which section 17 of the Theft Ordinance prescribes a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

But apart from allegedly stealing the wallet, the police said Navarro went to a Seven-11 store on Bowring Street and ran up a bill for $2,292.50 which she paid by using a credit card issued by the Standard Chartered bank to Lau.

She then allegedly used Lau’s credit card issued by Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. in buying $204 worth of products at a Seven-11 store on Jordan Road.

Navarro then allegedly went to a Circle K store on Jordan Road and charged $1,204 worth of products to Lau’s Standard Chartered Bank Mastercard.

She again allegedly used the credit card in paying $138 for a meal at a McDonald’s restaurant on Yen Chow St. in Sham Shui Po.

Navarro allegedly used Lau’s HSBC Mastercard a fifth time when she bought $227 worth of items at another Seven-11 shop at the MTR Prince Edward station.

Finally she allegedly bought groceries at a Wellcome Store on Lai Chi Kok Road in Mong Kok, running up a bill for $2,214 which she charged to Lau’s American Express card.

2 missing Filipinas still in HK, says MWO

 

Aleli and Imee are shown in a photo shared on Facebook

The Migrant Workers Office has said that the two Filipina domestic helpers who went missing on October 4 are still in Hong Kong, according to records from the SAR’s Immigration Department.

This was according to MWO Officer-in-charge Antonio Villafuerte who told The SUN that the Consulate’s police attaché had received the information from the Hong Kong Police upon a request.

On being given this information, Villafuerte said the Consulate had proceeded to request Immigration to put the two Filipinas on the lookout list.

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The information puts to rest persistent, though unverified reports that 24-year-old Imee M. Pabuaya and 33-year-old Aleli P. Tibay, had left Hong Kong, and are already in another country abroad, particularly Poland. The two are said to be in a relationship.

“Mabuti nga sana kung nakaalis sila dahil it  means they’re safe, but this is not the case,” said Villafuerte, who added the Consulate as well as the Department of Migrant Workers in the Philippines remain concerned about the two’s whereabouts and safety.

He said DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac had contacted him directly after learning about the missing migrant workers.

Villafuerte confirmed that the two had valid employment visas when they were reported missing, and that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration had been in touch with their employers, as well as their family members.

Imee had been in Hong Kong for just nine months, as only those aged 24 years old and above are allowed to work abroad as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs); while Aleli had worked here since 2017 (edited).

Surveillance photo from Oct 4 showed the two did not seem dressed for hiking

Villafuerte also doused speculation that the two had gotten lost while hiking, saying the photo taken by a surveillance camera in the afternoon of Oct 4 while they were standing on Yeung Uk Road in Tsuen Wan indicated they were not dressed for this activity.

Imee was shown wearing a dark blue denim top, matching denim shorts, and white shoes while Aleli was wearing a light blue long-sleeved shirt, light blue jeans and white shoes.

The police had also reportedly called off searching for the two Filipinas along the Lung Min hiking trail in Tsuen Wan, which started on Saturday afternoon, amid concerns they had lost their way and were stranded in the area.

The force is now said to be assessing their next step in searching for the two.

“We remain concerned about their safety and are coordinating with the police as they continue to investigate the case,” said Villafuerte.

He reiterated an earlier advice from the Philippine Consulate about posting unverified information about the two as these could derail the efforts to locate them.

 

 

 

Filipina DH guilty of neglect in scalding of year-old boy

 

Photo of the scalded baby posted by his father in an employers' chat group

A Filipina domestic helper was convicted of ill-treatment or neglect of a baby boy under her care, after a two-day trial at the Shatin Court ended Monday.

Deputy Magistrate Charlotte Kong postponed the sentencing of Nora Navarro, 44 years old, to Oct. 28 to await a background report she ordered to help determine the appropriate penalty.

Navarro was accused of ill-treatment or neglect in taking proper steps to prevent the scalding X, the one-year-old boy under her care, in the kitchen of the family flat in Siu Lek Yuen North, Sha Tin on March 3 this year. 

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According to his male employer the incident happened shortly after he scolded the helper for not cleaning properly.

The Filipina denied the allegation, saying X was splashed with hot water when he yanked the plug of the rice cooker where she had been boiling potates, after she put had put him down to check on her cooking.

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However, the female employer who testified in court said she had clear instructions that the helper should not bring the baby to the kitchen for whatever reason, to which the defendant agreed.

But Navarro said that day was unusual as the employer who was looking after X initially, had begun chanting Buddhist prayers, and the boy started crying. As this was distracting the employer Navarro said she decided to take the boy away from her.

What happened next was in dispute. Navarro said she had gone to the kitchen quickly to turn off the cooker and as a precaution had put the baby down and given him plastic to play with. 

But the employer disputed this, saying the helper must have held the baby in her arms while tending to her cooking, contrary to her repeated instructions never to take the baby into the kitchen. 

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The male employer had earlier posted a photo of the scalded arm of the baby in an employers' chat group, and claimed that the helper had deliberately put his son at risk after he gave her a scolding.

He said his son was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital with second-degree burns to his torso and right arm. The boy was discharged after two days.

During questioning, the female employer conceded that she did not see exactly what had happened in the kitchen as her eyes were closed in prayer at the time. All she saw was Navarro dousing the baby with cold water after he was scalded.

Navarro was supposed to stand trial for two days, but the magistrate gave extra time for both sides to sum up their arguments before handing down her verdict.

The charge alleges that the defendant, "being a person over 16 years of age who had the custody, care, or attention of boy X, intentionally abused or neglected the  boy in a manner likely to cause unnecessary injury to his health”, in violation of section 27(1) of the Offenses Against the Person Ordinance."

The crime is committed if the defendant fails to take steps to protect the victim. It is not necessary for the prosecution to prove that the defendant was the perpetrator of the "unlawful act or neglect."

The maximum penalty for the offence is 10 years in prison on indictment, and three years' jail in summary proceedings.

Pinay jailed 6 months for almost $1m that passed through her bank account

 

File photo posted by another Filipina who was earlier convicted of money laundering

A Filipina domestic helper will spend the next six months in jail for allowing the use of her bank account in money laundering.

In a hearing at Kwun Tong Court Monday (Oct. 13), Acting Principal Magistrate Leung Ka-kie handed the sentence to Lea Callo, 32 years old, who pleaded guilty to the offense in an earlier hearing.

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Callo was convicted of “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence,” in violation of sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

The charge arose from the $937,789.50 in crime proceeds that flowed in and out of her Bank of China account between May 24 and Oct. 26, 2022.

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The police had accused her of dealing in property that “in whole or in part, directly or indirectly represented any person’s proceeds of an indictable offence.”

Police reiterate appeal for information on 2 missing Filipinas

 

Imee and Aleli went missing together on Oct. 4 (From Facebook)

 Nine days after they went missing, the whereabouts of two Filipina domestic workers remain unknown.

As a result, the Police have again appealed to the public for any information they might have on the two Filipina domestic workers who were last captured on video camera on Yeung Uk Road in Tsuen Wan on Oct. 4.

An unconfirmed report posted on Facebook by a hiker said she saw two, identified as Imee Mahilum Pabuaya, aged 24, and Aleli Perez Tibay, 33, at about 4:30pm on the day they went missing at the Fu Yang Shan barbecue site, about 1 km away from the Tsuen Wan MTR station.

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Others said the two were in a relationship, and had jointly taken out a loan for some $80,000. A Facebook post from someone who identified herself as Tibay’s sister confirmed the loan, but said someone else had used the money, then disappeared.

Vice Consul George Soriano said they have yet to get credible information as to the two workers’ whereabouts, including claims they had left Hong Kong for work in Poland.

 “At this time all we have is conjecture,” he said.

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In an earlier advisory posted last Friday, the police said they received a report that Tibay was missing on Oct 6, while Pabuaya was reported missing on Oct. 8.

Pabuaya is described as about 1.55 meters tall, 50 kilos in weight, and of medium build. She has a round face, fair complexion, and short brown hair. She was last seen wearing a dark blue denim top, matching denim shorts, and white shoes.

Tibay, the older one, is about 1.58 meters tall, also weighs around 50 kilos, but has a slim frame. She also has a round face and fair complexion but with long black hair. She was last spotted wearing a light blue long-sleeved shirt, light blue jeans and white shoes.

Anyone with information about their whereabouts may contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Hong Kong Island on 2860 1040 or 9886 0034, or email to rmpu-hki@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

 

19 people arrested in new anti-illegal work raids

 

Evidence seized from food delivery riders included a bike

A series of anti-illegal work operations conducted across Hong Kong over eight days, from October 2 to 9, resulted in the arrest of 19 people, 13 of them suspected illegal workers.

A series of focused operations that targeted food delivery services in various locations led to the arrest of five suspected illegal workers, all males and non-ethnic Chinese, aged 21 to 59. Four of the five suspects held recognizance forms, meaning they are applying to stop deportations proceedings against them.

Three Hong Kong males were arrested with them on suspicion of aiding and abetting their illegal work as food delivery riders, and conspiring to defraud delivery platforms.

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In other anti-illegal work operations, eight suspected illegal works and three employers were arrested.

The arrested workers comprised seven women and one man, aged 37 to 58. Two of the women were found to possess forged HK identity cards.

Arrested with them were Hong Kong male residents, aged 33 to 44, suspected of hiring the illegal workers.

2 women arrest had fake HK ID cards

Immigration again warned that illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong, for which the maximum penalty is imprisonment of two or three years, and a fine of up to $50,000.

Using forged HK identity cards could lead to imprisonment of up to 10 years and a maximum fine of $100,000.

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Employers could be fined a maximum amount of $500,000 and jailed immediately, for up to 10 years.

Anyone who wishes to report illegal work activities may call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, 24-hour Immigration Offences Hotline 2824 1551, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

ICC rejects interim release for Duterte

 

The ICC says Duterte is a high flight risk

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected former president Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release, ruling that his detention must continue under the Rome Statue due to high flight risks, obstruction and potential further offences.

The Oct 10 decision was influenced largely by Vice President Sara Duterte’s public remarks and actions, particularly her suggestion that she would “break her father out” of ICC detention and her attempts to discredit the court by alleging collusion and fake witnesses.

VP Duterte’s comments made in August that her father intended to return to Davao City if freed, was also said to contradict his lawyers’ assurance that he would stay in the unnamed host country.

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Apart from this, the ICC said that given the former president’s “political influence, extensive network in the Philippines and continued support” including that of his daughter, increased the possibility that he would abscond if released.

Duterte's supposed frail health is cited as a ground for the interim release application (File)

In response to the decision, Duterte’s lead lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said the defense has already filed an appeal. Surprisingly, Kaufman said this was done “a week ago,” when the decision was published only on Friday.

He also said that if the case was before a domestic court, “there would have been no hesitation to release an 80 year old sick and debilitated man, kept from the public for more than half a year, and for whom unprecedented State guarantees had been provided.”

Kaufman hit out at what he said “civil society activist lawyers” being quoted actively in the media of accusing Duterte’s supporters of judicial trolling and lambasting defence submissions and filing “frivolous” petitions to sanction him.

Separately, the former president’s son, Davao City 1^st District Paulo “Pulong” Duterte has slammed the ICC’s decision on the interim release as a “gross and disgraceful miscarriage of justice” and as “political theater.”

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Rep Duterte also said in his Facebook post that the Central Intelligence Agency was complicit in what he again described as his father’s kidnapping.

He warned those who took part in the alleged abduction that they will “pay for this crime,” adding that they might just have turned his father into a martyr.

Duterte supporters outside the ICC's detention facility at The Hague

Duterte’s lawyers had asked for his temporary release, citing his age, supposed unstable mental health, and his willingness to remain in a third country that will take him in while the case against him is being heard.

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But the ICC decided Duterte must continue to remain in detention as he faces charges of multiple murders and attempted murder as crimes against humanity.

The decision was signed by Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera.

 

Lady drivers, taekwondo enthusiasts heed call for blood donation

 

A dozen happy donors pose for group shot after bloodletting

When you donate blood, you help other people live.

Fired by this thinking, two groups of women migrant workers lined up at the Red Cross Donation Centre in Causeway Bay on October 7, in response to a perennial call by the agency for people in Hong Kong to donate blood.

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It was the second blood donation campaign by the United Philippine Taekwondo Organization Hong Kong (Upto HK) and the Lady Drivers Organiation (LDO), and it won’t be the last, vowed their leader, Mercy Permales.

Lady driver Babes smiles as blood is drawn from her 

Mercy herself has been a regular blood donor, after having a sort of epiphany in December 2022, when she was feeling homesick, and was contemplating on how she could make her life more meaningful.

It was while listening to the Christmas song “We Are The Reason” by Avalon and again seeing the Red Cross appeal for blood donation that everything clicked into place, she said.

“Doon ako nabuhayan ng loob at ang sabi ko sa sarili ko, Yes! This is what I want to do for Christmas. Jesus gave His life to mankind, kaya ako ay magbibigay naman ng dugo to save lives.”

(That was an awakening. I told myself, ‘yes, this is what I want to do for Christmas. Jesus gave up his life to mankind, so I should also give blood to save lives).

On Christmas day itself, Mercy along with friend Marilyn, went to the Red Cross Donation Centre so they could present their gift of life to their fellowmen.

Mercy said she felt even more fulfilled when she received a text message from the Red Cross thanking her for her donation, adding it could help save three lives.

Mercy says there's no greater gift than the gift of life, and love

She decided to share her joy of giving with members of Upto and LDO, who responded by heeding her call to do a group blood donation.

Mercy says she hopes many others, particularly her fellow migrant domestic workers, would also give blood.

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“To those who wish to donate blood, just search for the Red Cross Donation Centre nearest you. They accept walk-in, and are open from 11am until 7pm, no noon break,” she said.

Like it was for her, she said the donation would be even more meaningful if it’s done on Christmas day, which is a statutory holiday for everyone, including migrant workers.