DH gets 10-month jail for $1.1M money laundering

 

File photo from HK Monetary Authority

A domestic helper was jailed today for 10 months and two weeks after she was found guilty of dealing with $1.1 million in crime proceeds, otherwise known as money laundering.

Ma. Gretel Mago, 48 years old, had earlier pleaded not guilty at Fanling Court, saying she had no part in depositing and withdrawing a total of $1,125,603.96 in her Hang Seng Bank account between 2^nd and 27^th of July 2021.

But Deputy Magistrate Chan On-ting gave more weight to the prosecution evidence, such as the bank account which was in her name.

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She ruled that Mago violated sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

In a separate case at Tuen Mun Court, another domestic helper was remanded in jail after her case was adjourned to July 29.

Reamae Davila, 40 years old, is accused of money laundering for the $934,596.60 that went in and oit f her Bank of China account between 13^th and 28 of May 2024.

Pinay jailed 15 months for illegal work

 

Building where offense took place (Google Maps photo)

The government underlined the severity of illegal work today when the Eastern Magistrates’ Court sentenced a Filipina to 15 months imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to working as a trash cleaner.

Jonites Garcia, 48 years old, was arrested last May 28 while hauling garbage inside a rear staircase of Block 9 in City Garden in North Point.

It turned out she was holding a recognizance form as identification document, being subject to a removal order due to the failure of her application for asylum.

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Under sections 38AA (1)(b2) and 38AA (2) of the Immigration Ordinance, people with removal order are prohibited from taking up employment, whether paid or unpaid. But many are able to remain in Hong Kong because of a legal challenge they filed against the Immigration Director's decision to deny them refuge.

Violators face a fine of up to level 5 ($50,000) and imprisonment of up to three years.

Acting Principal Magistrate David Cheung gave Garcia a one-third discount on her sentence for pleading guilty and thus saving the court’s time and resources in resolving the case.

HK visa extension fee to rise to $330 from Sept 8

Immigration Department

The Immigration Department plans to increase on Sept. 8 the fees it charges for its services to recover the costs incurred in providing them.

The list of 28 fees to be increased include that for issuing and extending visas, which will rise from $230 to $330.

A bill that proposes the fee revisions will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on July 2, and will take effect once approved. 

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“The Government sets and reviews various fees and charges according to the 'cost recovery' and 'user pays' principles, while fees charged by the Government should in general be set at levels adequate to recover the full cost of providing the goods or services," a government spokesman said.

“Taking into consideration that it is impractical to recover the full cost of all fees in one go, the fees of the services concerned will be increased by 3 per cent to 51 per cent with a view to achieving full cost recovery gradually. The fees will have little impact on the daily lives of most people and limited impact on general business activities," the spokesman added.

The proposed increases are expected to generate an additional $104 million in annual revenue oncwe they take effect in September.

According to documents submitted to the Legislative Council by the Security Bureau and Immigration Department on Monday, the proposed increases will affect 28 services, with two increasing by less than 10 %, six rising 10 to 20%, and the remaining 20 all going up by more than 20%.

The key changes include a 13-percent increase for a 48-page HKSAR passport, or from $460 to $520 for applicants 16 years old or older, and $230 to $260 for children below 16.

The 32-page HKSAR passport will cost $430 for applicants aged 16 or older, from the previous $370; and from $185 to $215 for those younger than 16.

The other fee adjustments will include a 20% rise in transit visas, which will cost $170 from $120, and multiple HKSAR re-entry permits jumping from $935 to $1,350.

The visa fee increase is likely to create concern among foreign domestic workers, especially those who are terminated but are pursuing claims and cases against their employers, a process that could last for days, if not months. 

It could also impact those who are trying to convince Immigration to let them stay and process a new employment contract after their previous one was prematurely terminated on unfair ground.

This means that they will have to worry not only about having a place to stay while they wait for the outcome of their cases or applications, but also about visa renewal fees and other expenses while they remain in Hong Kong.

Pinay DH’s drug trafficking case set to be moved to High Court

 

Place where drug trafficking allegedly took place (Google Maps photo)

The two drug trafficking charges against a Filipina, who had been left in jail after similar charges against her co-accused were withdrawn earlier, is set to be elevated to the Court of First Instance after details of the drugs allegedly seized from her were presented at Kowloon City Court yesterday, June 24.

Alisa Tandual, 29 years old, was charged with C. Padillo, 30 years old, who walked free on Tuesday (June 23) after two separate charges against her were dropped (read the full story here: https://www.sunwebhk.com/2025/06/pinay-dh-accused-of-drug-trafficking.html).

Magistrate Philip Chan transferred Tandual’s case to the Eastern Court for committal to the High Court on Aug. 4. He also had Tandual’s rights read to her, including her right to a private lawyer or one provided by the Legal Aid for her defense.

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Tandual was arrested with Padillo, a fellow domestic helper,  last Jan. 22 after two alleged instances of drug trafficking in rooms 1 and 3 of a lodging house in the first floor of 542 Canton Road, Yau Ma Tei.

Results of government laboratory tests of the dangerous drugs seized from Tandual resulted in an amended complaint presented by police to the court, listing the drugs in detail.

In all, she is charged with trafficking in nearly 2 kilos of various dangerous drugs including cocaine or ice (shabu).

In the first charge, Tandual is accused of trafficking in a plastic bag containing 1.08 grams of a solid containing .87 gram of cocaine, and another plastic bag containing 0.43 gram of cocaine, which were found in Room 1.

The second charge arose from the seizure of the following drugs from her in room 3:

• 1 plastic bag containing 973 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride (also known as ice or shabu).
• 1 plastic bag containing one plastic laddle and 431 grams of a crystalline solid containing 415 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride.
• 1 plastic bag containing 49.2 grams of a mixture containing 35.8 grams of heroin hydrochloride.
• 1 plastic bag containing 16-grams of a solid contining 108 grams of cocaine.
• 1 plastic bag containing 201 grams of a crystalline solid containing 196 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride.
• 1 plastic bag containing 200 grams of a crystalline solid containing 196 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride.
• 1 plastic bag containing 28.1 grams of a crystalline solid containing 26.9 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride

Drug trafficking cases are automatically elevated to the High Court, and are punished on indictment with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and fine of up to $5,000. 

123 people arrested in Immigration’s swoop on catering & renovation premises

 

Most of the arrests involved illegal workers in restaurants, along with their employers 

The Immigration Department has made one of its biggest crackdowns on illegal work, particularly in industries known to be prone to the illicit practice, arresting a total of 123 persons in nearly a month.

Of those arrested, 58 have been prosecuted for violating the Immigration Ordinance, with 46 of the being sentenced to prison terms ranging from 54 days to 22 months.

From May 19 to June 23, officers conducted raids at 815 targeted locations across various districts in Hong Kong, resulting in the arrest of 89 illegal workers, 31 employers and three aiders and abettors.

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About 2/3 of the illegal workers arrested, or a total of 60 persons, were working in restaurants as dishwashers, kitchen workers, waiters, waitresses and food delivery riders.

Another 14 illegal workers were apprehended while engaged in renovation and cleaning work at various sites across the city.

A number were found to work illegally as renovation workers

During its operation targeting the catering industry, Immigration said its investigators employed different strategies including undercover work at restaurants and hanging out at popular gathering spots for food delivery riders in various districts.

The arrested illegal workers, aged between 21 and 67, comprised 45 non-ethnic Chinese individuals, including 14 men and nine women holding recognizance papers that prohibit them from taking up work; and 44 Mainlanders.

Among them, 18 persons held and were suspected of using forged Hong Kong identity cards while three possessed identity cards belonging to other people.

The 34 people arrested and charged with employing or aiding and abetting the illegal workers were all Hong Kong residents.

Those prosecuted faced relevant charges, including breach of conditions of stay or using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card, or taking employment while being an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land.

Immigration said it does not rule out the possibility of further arrests or prosecutions.

Anyone found doing illegal work faces a maximum fine of $50,000 and prison terms of two or three years. Those found to have used forged HK identity cards or those belonging to another person could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of $100,000.

Employers of illegal workers could be fined up to $500,000 and jailed for 10 years.

 

Items seized from the raids conducted for nearly a month

Immigration said it is committed to combatting illegal employment by illegal immigrants, visitors, foreign domestic helper and imported workers bound by specific employment conditions in order to protect the local labour market.

Anyone who notices ongoing illegal activities may contact Immigration’s dedicated hotline, (2824 1551), email (anti_crime@immd.gov.hk) and online reporting platform (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/online-services/) to report illegal employment activities.

 

Pinay DH accused of drug trafficking walks free

 

Place where drug trafficking allegedly took place (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina facing two drug trafficking charges along with a fellow domestic helper, had a pleasant surprise today at the Kowloon City Court when prosecutors withdrew the charges against her.

“Does that mean I have no more case?”asked C. Padillo, 30 years old, through an interpreter.

“No more case,” Magistrate Philip Chan answered.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

She walked free later after signing release documents and retrieving two items that were presented as evidence against her.

It was not explained why the charges against her of violating section 4(1) (a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance were withdrawn.

Padillo’s co-accused, Alisa Tandual, 29 years old, remained in detention and was to be charged with a number of drug-related charges at a separate hearing.

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Police arrested the two over two separate occasions last January 22 at the first floor of 542 Canton Road, Yau Ma Tei. The first alleged offense took place in Room 1 and the second in Room 3.

They were both charged subsequently with drug trafficking.

Freebies galore on July 1

 

Tram rides will be free from July 1 to 3

To celebrate the 28^th year of the Handover of Hong Kong to China on July 1, the government has announced a series of freebies and other treats for all residents as well as visitors to the city. 

As in past years, all tram rides will be free, whatever the destination. But this year, the treat will last for three days, or from July 1 to 3.

Star Ferry rides will also be free, but only on July 1, and only for journeys between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai.

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Those who plan to take the ferry from North Point to Hung Hom or Kowloon could try their luck in a draw where 100 free tickets will be distributed.

Another 100 tickets will be given to lucky day trippers between Central and Mui Wo, while 200 will be given away to those travelling from Central to Cheung Chau.

The MTR is also planning its own giveaway bonanza, with those using the Child Octopus card holders being given a free ride on the Airport Express while those with the JoyYou card, available to residents aged 60 and above, will get a 50% discount.

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Commuters will also have a chance to win one of the 71,000 free MTR tickets that will be raffled off on July 1 through the company’s mobile app. The tickets are valid until January 2 next year.

Those who are into cultural explorations can take advantage of the free entrance to most public museums, including the Science and Space Museums, except for the Space Theatre show.

There will also be complimentary entry to the M+ museum, as well as the thematic exhibitions at the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

Over at Ocean Park, visitors can avail of a 20% discount when purchasing two adult tickets and 30% if it’s for three or more tickets. The promotion will last until July 3.

LCSD-run facilities can also be used for free, but prior booking is required

Also offering free entry is the Wetland Pak in Yuen Long, as well as some facilities operated by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department such as courts for badminton, squash and basketball and table tennis, and swimming pools.

To ensure an orderly allocation of play times at these facilities, however, time slots were allocated via a ballot between June 14 and 20 on LCSD’s SmartPlay platform, with the results announced today.

Discounts will also be offered to passengers of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. Round-trip tickets for the cable car standard cabin will be priced at $42 for both the elderly and children, instead of the usual $155 and $150, respectively.

There will also be shopping and dining discounts, with more than 1,000 restaurants and merchants participating.

 

 

Sikap’s ‘mother’ loses courageous battle against cancer

 

Amy Sajor kept her illness to herself for months, saying she did not want to bother anyone with it

An overseas Filipino worker who has for decades been regarded as the mother figure of Sikap (or Samahang Nagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino) passed away on June 9 from breast cancer. She was 62.

Amalia N. Sajor, widow of the late Rey Vital, founder of the 40-year-old Sikap and one of its champion tennis players, was given a final send-off by her friends and family members at Universal Funeral Home in Hung Hom yesterday.

She left behind a son, Rayniel Vital, for whom she and Rey fought hard to attain right of abode in Hong Kong, even while they remained content being OFWs themselves.

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Amalia, who was Amy to most, battled stage 4 cancer for more than a year, but true to form, preferred to keep her struggles and pain to herself, like what Rey himself did when he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer until his death in the Philippines three years ago.

Even Rayniel said her mother hardly spoke about her ailment until she became too week to fight it off.

It was only after she was admitted to the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan last month that she confided to a few close friends in Sikap about her struggle against the terminal disease.

Amy's Sikap family bids her farewell a day before her remains are due to be flown home

Her friends and fellow tennis enthusiasts Almira, Melonie, Sol, Marivic, Rose and Ruth took turns visiting her there, along with Rayniel, until she took her last breath.

Her friends spoke of how devastated they were in seeing how much weight Amy had lost, and how the cancer had left her with so much pain which she valiantly decided to bear all by herself.

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Lester Esquilona, current president of Sikap and a longtime friend of Rey and Amy, also said he learned about her condition only recently, although everyone had noticed her looking unusually sad for months, including when she attended the group’s anniversary party in November last year.

But when asked, Amy would inadvertently say she was just longing for Rey.

Rey and Amy with son Rayniel during happier days

Amy’s kindly employer, Serena, also said she was kept in the dark by Amy for months.

Just before he died, Rey reportedly told Amy to just stay put in Pampanga and enjoy the house they had built there. But Amy insisted on going back to Hong Kong and look after Serena’s elderly father, who had hired her and Rey for decades.

The family patriarch passed on shortly before Amy learned she had stage four cancer.

Serena is paying for the cost of repatriation, and all related expenses. She said it is her way of repaying the kindness shown by Amy toward her father, and for the decades of service that the Vital couple had rendered to her family.

Amy’s remains are due to be flown home tomorrow, June 24, to Santa Ana, Pampanga, where Rayniel said she will be laid to rest beside his father, as was her wish.

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Ex-OFW forced to go home because of brain tumor gets P75k Aksyon fund

 

Febe at the OWWA office last year, when an agency owner cursed her on the phone

A Filipina former domestic helper who was forced to go home in April last year after being terminated when diagnosed with brain tumor, was pleasantly surprised on Wednesday, June 18, when she was given Php75k from the Akap Fund of the Department of Migrant Workers.

Febe S. Anor, 53, said the money was transferred to her bank account that day, less than a month after The SUN personally brought her case to DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac, along with her medical records from Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan.

Anor expressed gratitude at the unexpected windfall, and said it would help a lot in her recovery, and in the small online business she started using the Php20,000 reintegration fund given her by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

PINDUTIN DITO

She also received an extra Php30,000 in medical assistance from OWWA, which she said she had used for medical check-ups and medicines after she returned home.

Although she is able to carry out her business selling frozen foods online, she said she is still too weak to carry heavy stuff, so she asks customers to pick up their orders from her home.

“Salamat ng marami sa tulong ninyo. Ingat po kayong lagi (Thanks for all your help. Always take care) and God bless you always,” said Febe by way of thanking all those who have helped her.

Febe was helped by her INK friends in boarding the plane that took her home  

What prompted many people to help Febe, including her church mates at Iglesia ni Kristo in Hong Kong, was her calm and kindly manner which never wavered even in the face of seemingly insurmountable hardship.

Even after she was sacked, forcing her to seek temporary shelter in a four-floor walkup with help from her church friends while hardly able to walk, she never whimpered nor said unkind words about her employer.

This, even after her employer had all but abandoned her so she had to pay all her hospital bills herself and for her food and accommodation.

Basahin ang detalye!

At that time, the employer said Febe could not go back to their house anymore as no one would be there to look after her while she was recuperating. The employer said their employment agency would take care of providing her temporary accommodation while she waited for the day set for her brain surgery.

But as if she was being tested, the agency owner turned out to be mean, and had tried to get her to fly back to the Philippines at the first opportunity, even while she was still waiting for her next hospital appointment so she could have the staples on her skull taken out.

When she refused to comply, the agency owner only gave her soup as she recovered from her surgery, leaving her with no choice to ask her friends for help again.

Worse, she was not paid her full unpaid salary, and reimbursements for her medical expenses

But the worst was yet to come. When she sought help from OWWA so she could be paid in full, the agency owner immediately called her on the phone, and started to harass her. As she had set the phone on speaker mode, everyone who was in the OWWA office at the time, including then welfare officer Dina Daquigan, heard the employer shout f---g b—ch to Febe, before hanging up.

Febe still had these staples on her skull when the agency first tried to send her home

Still unshaken, Febe sought help from Assistant Labor Attache Angelica Sunga who took prompt action, warning the agency owner that if the helper’s rightful claims were not paid, all their pending transactions with the Migrant Workers Office would be put on hold.

Not surprisingly, the agency had a change of heart and decided to add $1,600 to the amount originally offered to her. Febe did not think twice about accepting the offer, happy that her long ordeal was finally about to end.

 In all, she received only $9,600 from the agency, which was supposed to cover her unpaid salary, one month in lieu of notice, and reimbursement for her hospital, food and accommodation expenses, but she decided to just take it and go home to ease her mind and spirit.

 

 

 

55 Asylum seekers deported from HK

The deportees are loaded onto a van on the way to the airport

Hong Kong Immigration has deported a total of 56 “unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants” back to their countries of origin over the past three days.

The deportees were either overstayers or had entered Hong Kong illegally, and were fighting off immigration’s attempt to send them back home in a vain bid to be cleared for asylum in a third country.

Their being described as “unsubstantiated” claimants means they failed to meet the criteria set for their being granted asylum, such as political or religious persecution in their home country.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Among them were former foreign domestic helpers as well as discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences.

According to a statement released by Immigration earlier today, the deportees comprised 28 men and 28 women, but did not disclose their nationalities.

Basahin ang detalye!

But it is likely that a big number of them are Filipinos who have just been released from prison after being convicted of crimes such as money laundering, theft, illegal work or violating their visa condition by overstaying.

According to Immigration, it is committed “to promptly removing unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest.”

The deportees are escorted directly to the plane that took them back home

Under the updated removal policy that took effect from Dec 7, 2022, Immigration may in general, proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance… “thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants.”

This could be done even if the claimant has lodged an appeal against the CFI’s decision not to grant leave for a review of Immigration’s decision to reject the non-refoulement claim.

Depending on circumstances and needs, Immigration said it will expedite the removal process by closely liaising with governments of major source countries of non-refoulement claimants, airline companies and other government departments.

It reiterated its commitment to repatriate unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong “as soon as practicable through all appropriate measures.” 

 

Philippine Alliance inducts officers

 

Consul-General Israel administers oath to the Executive Committee

The leadership of the Philippine Alliance Hong Kong, one of the biggest and oldest federations of Filipino organizations in the territory, took their oath of office in ceremonies that formed part of its Independence Day celebration. 

Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr. and Vice Consul Allan G. Revote administered the oaths last Sunday (June 15) to the officers in three batches.

The first group to be inducted was the Executive Committee that will serve for 2025-2027, led by  Dante P. Berido, Chairman; and Leilani A. Campos , President.

With the group were Theresa S. Villalon , VP Administration; Marivic E. Tabarnero, VP Program; Jessita Villanueva, VP Finance; Leonora G. Abellon, VP Operation; Andres Dela Cruz Ramos Jr., VP Promotion; Ricky G. Marquez , VP Protocol; Sarah R. Sumaylo, General Secretary; Gerlyn Caigas, Asst Secretary;. Rose Marie R. Manuel, General Treasurer; Fayeh A. Guevarra , Asst Treasurer; Basilisa Mirasol B. Galimba, General Auditor; Arthur Buban , Communication Director; Marie Rivera, Spokesperson; Elizabeth E. Mina , Board of Director Luzon; Catherine C. Macua , Board of Director Visayas; Lynn M. Encinas , Board of Director Mindanao; James Carlo L. Tagalicud, Board of Director Sectoral.

The second group consisted of committee heads for 2025-2027.

They were:

VP ADMIN TEAM: Training Officer Zenaida E. Sarmiento, Record Officer Elena Talingdan

VP FINANCE TEAM: Budget Officer Rowena Maure, Logistic Officer Ginalyn Saldevar 

VP PROGRAM TEAM: Event Coordinator Marlie F. Pareno, Cultural Officer Ernalyn T. Vicente; Medics/Fitness Officers Raissa Mae R. Rapacon, Mellicent M. Villanos, Honelet L. Ganano, Mary Ann B. Inovejas; Sports Coordinators Shine Gamboa, Reymundo S. Escobar

Basahin ang detalye!

VP OPERATION TEAM: Interfaith Coordinators Myrna C. Ignacio, Victoria B. Adriosula; Welfare Coordinators Romulo Esquierda, Lily S. Agdan; Project Coordinators Jessie Marcos Sanut, Anita H. Tahud

VP PROMOTION TEAM: Information Officer, Linne P. Pessimo; Tourism Officer Maricel C.Limen VP

PROTOCOL TEAM: Guest Coordinator Mylene Enano, Peace Officer Marites Macapagal.

 Vice Consul Allan G. Revote swore in the third group , which consisted of committee heads:

Admin Team: Training Officer, -Zenaida Sarmiento, Record Officer: Elena Talingdan, 

Finance Team: Budget Officer Rowena Maure, Logistics Officer Ginalyn Saldevar

Program Team: Event Coordinator Marlie F. Pareno;  Cultural Officer Erma Vicente; Medics/Fitness Officers Raissa Mae R. Rapacon, Mellicent M. Villanos, Honelet L. Ganano, , Mary Ann B. Inovejas; Sports Coordinators Shine Gamboa, Reymundo S. Escobar 

Operation Team: Interfaith Coordinators, Myrna C. Ignacio, Victoria B Adriosula Welfare Coordinators: Romulo Esquierda, Lily S. Agdan Project Coordinator: Jessie Marcos Sanut, Anita H. Tahud

Promotion Team: Information Officer Linne P. Pesimo, Tourism Officer Maricel C. Limen

Protocol Team: Guest Coordinator Mylene Enano, Peace Officer Marites Macapagal

Unemployed Pinoy jailed 6 months for theft, failing to produce HKID

 

The case was heard at Tuen Mun Court

An unemployed, homeless Filipino was sentenced Thursday to two imprisonment terms that totaled six months for stealing a knapsack containing a laptop computer, and then failing to show his Hong Kong Identification Card when accosted by a police officer in Yuen Long later.

A. J. Delfino, 25 years old, who pleaded guilty during an earlier hearing at the Tuen Mun Court, will serve the sentence after he has finished an earlier prison term, details of which were not revealed.

Magistrate David Chum sentenced Delfino to six months in prison for stealing the bag inside a laundry shop on Sai Ching St., Yuen Long, last April 3. Inside the bag was a computer worth $5,000, for which Delfino was ordered to compensate the owner in full.

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Five days later, when accosted by a police officer on Kiu Tak St. in Yuen Long, Delfino was unable to produce his identity document, for which Magistrate Chum jailed him for another two months for violation of section 49 of the Public Order Ordinance.

Chum ordered the two sentences to run at the same time.

62-year-old OFW dies of heart attack, family appeals for help

 

Celia passed suddenly due to heart attack, after 17 years of working in HK (photo from Facebook)

The family of the late Celia Cusipag Tolentino, 62 years old and a native of Solana, Cagayan, is asking for help in raising funds to cover the cost of her funeral and other related expenses.

Celia passed away suddenly on June 13 at the Caritas Hospital, a day after being rushed there unconscious due to a heart attack. Her family said they knew Celia had hypertension, but it did not seem to concern her much.

Two of her three adult children rushed to Hong Kong in response to a call from Celia’s employer the day before, saying their mother was in critical condition. However, she had already passed when they got to Hong Kong.

Basahin ang detalye!

While here, they managed to get in touch with Social Welfare Attache Rem Marcelino who told them that apart from the Php120,000 burial assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, they will get an additional P100,000 from the Aksyon Fund of the Department of Migrant Workers.

Her employer, on the other hand, will pay for the cost of repatriation, plus the air ticket of one of her children who came to Hong Kong.

However, it is still not clear whether the money will be disbursed in time for the expected repatriation of Celia’s remains in two weeks’ time. Her children said she will be buried in Solana after a short funeral.

Her older daughter, Maceng, said their mother had been with her current employer only since January this year after her previous contract was pre terminated in December last year.

She deferred her exit from Hong Kong to last April, when she managed to go home to Solana for two weeks.

Maceng said she and her siblings had asked their mother to just go home for good, but she decided to go back to her Hong Kong employer, as she wanted to save up for her retirement.

Celia had just started working in Hong Kong 17 years ago when she was already 45 years old, when her husband died, leaving her to raise their four children by herself.

In 2015, another tragedy occurred when her eldest son and Maceng's husband died in a traffic accident, leaving two young widows and six children betweem them, who Celia also tried to help support.

But her biggest expense, that of sending her twin youngest children to college, had just ended, with the two finishing courses in veterinary medicine and engineering only recently, and have now both started working.

Had she managed to hold on a bit longer, Celia could have retired with ease and in peace, knowing that her years of hard work in Hong Kong was about to bear fruit.

(The online OFW concern group, Social Justice for Migrant Workers, is helping raise funds for Celia’s family through one of its administrators, Divina Apostol, who also hails from Cagayan. Please check out their Facebook page for details. You may also contact Maceng directly through WhatsApp on +63 954 234 6434).