3 Filipino tourists in fake US$5B bank draft freed, but denied costs

Free again! Elmer Martinez, Eric Jude Soliman and Elmer Soliman
with a friend (in pink shirt) after retrieving their belongings from Central Police station

By Vir B. Lumicao

Three Filipino male tourists earlier accused in Eastern Court of trying to pass off a fake US$5billion bank draft as genuine were released on Tuesday afternoon after the prosecution withdrew its case against them for insufficient evidence.

But Magistrate Peter Law, saying he suspected a money laundering attempt, rejected the application of the lawyer for defendants Elmer Soliman, 57, and his son Eric Jude Soliman, 31, for “substantial” court costs as a result of the botched case.

Undeterred, the older Soliman told The SUN they were thinking of filing a claim for damages .

“Sinabi ng abogado namin, he will pursue” (the case), he said.

The father and son as well as the third defendant, Eliseo Martinez, 43, a municipal lawyer in Victoria, Tarlac, walked free around 2pm from the courthouse in Sai Wan Ho and went straight to the Immigration offices in Wanchai to apply for a visitor’s visa.

But the Immigration officer who attended to them gave them only until Sept 20, or two days, to remain in Hong Kong. The officer also handed each of them a document that they have to give to the Immigration officer at the airport when they leave for home.

Martinez, who expressed relief after being released by the court, said all he wanted to do was to find a place to sleep so he could recover from the experience and wake up with a clear mind the next day.

His wife, who was due to arrive in Hong Kong on Sept 19, reportedly cried in relief when told of her husband’s release in a phone call with his fellow Freemason Pieter Nootenboom.

The 3 accused with supporter and friend Pieter Nootenboom take a break after clearing Immigration

In court, the prosecutor told Magistrate Law that she was withdrawing the charge of “using a false instrument” against all three defendants due to insufficient evidence.

She acknowledged that the defendants went to HSBC in Central on June 25 merely to verify whether the bank draft in question was genuine.

All three were arrested by the police after they handed over the bank draft at the service counter.

After the case was withdrawn, the defense lawyer said he was asking for costs for the Solimans.

“The defendants were at the bank merely to verify whether the bank draft was genuine,” he said.

But Law rejected the application, saying the case also involved money laundering.

“When you go to the bank with a huge amount, in this case five thousand million US dollars, that is money laundering,” Law said.

Outside court, the elder Soliman said the charge that he was trying to open a bank account to deposit the bank draft was not true.

“We were not there to open an account. It was the bank staff who told that to the police,” he said.

He said he and his son would just rest overnight and decide by tomorrow if they will pursue the civil case.

What's on where?

PUBLIC HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT: 
The Philippine Consulate General and all its attached agencies including POLO will be closed on the following date:
Sept. 25 – Day Following Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
Oct. 1 – PRC National Day (HK)
Oct 17 – Cheung Yeung Festival (HK)
There will be no official transactions on these dates.
In case of emergency, call:
9155 4023 (Consular assistance)
5529 1880 (POLO)
6345 9324 (OWWA)

Idulog Mo Kay Atorni 6
Free Legal Clinic with IBP lawyers
Sept 16, whole day, PCG Conference Room
9-10amLegal Forum, 10-12 Legal Consultation
POLO Training Room:
2-3pm, 3-5 pm Legal Consultation
To schedule free consultation, call Nida at 2823 8511 or Joel at 2823 8512

“Sagip Kapwa” Free Fire Safety Classes
Second Session: Oct 20 (Saturday) at Wong Tai Sin Fire Station, 28 Fung Tak Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon
Twenty slots are available for each session. Certificates will be given. To register, send your name and mobile phone number by email to gadhongkong@gmail.com with the title: “FIRE” For other details, check the Philippine Consulate General Facebook page

Hike for a Cause
(Fund-raising for 10-year-old Charlene Kate Lariosa who is suffering from chronic kidney failure)
Sept. 23, 9:30am-11:30am, Peak to Mount High West View
Meeting place: Peak Galleria
Contact: Marites, 5711 1533

Coins for Bethune House 
Sept 30 is the deadline for submitting filled cans for the Coins for Bethune project.Cans are still available from the Mission for Migrant Office in Central or the Bethune shelter at Kowloon Union Church in Jordan Road, Kowloon. All Filipino community organizations are enjoined to participate in this yearly charity drive for one of the oldest shelters for distressed migrants.
For inquiries, please call 27213119, 25228264 or 93572125

FBC’s 7th Anniversary Bowling Party
Oct 7, 10am-4pm, South China Athletic Association Bowling Centre, Causeway Bay. Come in your funny costume, and join the games! Organizer: Filipino Bowling Club Hong Kong
Contact: Jenny 9401 7051

Silid Sining Pinay: Unlocking Pinay Creativity
Painting Workshop Sessions for OFWs in HK with Filipino artist Grace P. Camacho
Oct 7, 9am – 12nn, PCG Gallery
Organized by: PCG with Pitter Painter
Requirements: HKID copy and one 2x2" photo
To register, visit the PCG Cultural Section or email cultural.pcg@gmail.com with subject: “SilidSining”

Nueva Vizcaya Day 2018
Oct 21 (Sunday), from 10 am, Chater Road, Central
Highlights: Search for Saniata ti Nueva Vizcaya 2018 and Sassy Look International 2018
Organizer: United Nueva Vizcayanos - HK

Mga pwedeng salihan

Caritas Health Courses for Migrant Workers

Medical Consultation and Acupuncture Services
Sept 16- Oct 21, 10 am – 1pm
$10 minimal fee will be collected)

Occupational Health and Safety Workshop
Sept 16- Nov 25 (6 Sundays in total), 10:30am-12:30pm
$20 minimal fee will be collected

Venue: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre. G/F., No. 28A Fortress Hill Road, Fortress Hill, Hong Kong.
For inquiries, please call  2147-5988

Health Concern Day,  to check:
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Blood pressure & glucose
- Stress test
- Musculoskeletal assessment
- Result getting & explanation

Sunday: Oct 14, 2:30-5:30pm for body check &
              Oct 28, 2:30-4:00pm for result and explanation
Saturday: Oct 27, 2:30-5:30pm for body check &
                 Nov. 3, 2:30pm-4:0pm  for result and explanation

A minimal fee of $20 will be collected from each participant
Venue: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre,G/F, 28A Fortress Hill Road, Fortress Hill
Contact: Caritas AMP (2147 5988; WhatsApp: 5497 2899)

Filcom group announcements:
Free Zumba Class
Sundays, 10am-11am (or stay longer if you want)
Pier 10, Central
Open to everyone
Offered by: Kayumanggi Zumba Fitness Group HK

Free Yoga Class 
Sundays, 8:30am-9:30am
Pier 10, Central
Open to everyone
Organized by: Andappan Yoga Community

Ano ang hatid ng Agosto?

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Nalilito ka dahil gusto mong kumilos at ipagpatuloy ang ginagawa, pero takot ka ring mabigo. Kung hindi gaanong mataas ang inaasam, maiiwasan ang mahirap na sitwasyon pero posibleng makawala ang maraming oportunidad, kailangang magdesisyon ka! Huwag magpautang sa kaibigan ng hindi masyadong pinag-isipan, baka hindi na makita uli ang pera o ang kaibigan, o pareho. Walang gaanong hadlang sa plano mo, pero kailangan ding mag-ingat. Lucky numbers: 9, 11, 23 at 46.
.
BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Ubod ka ng saya ngayon kaya maganda ang paningin mo sa lahat ng bagay, at palagay mo ay kaya mong lutasin ang lahat ng problema at magiging maayos din ang lahat. Sunod-sunod ang swerteng darating na may katumbas pang  perang papasok, kaya maging ikaw ay hindi makapaniwala. Mas titibay pa ang relasyon kaya gugustuhin mo nang maging pangmatagalan na ito. Lucky numbers: 19, 30, 33 at 42.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96 
Posibleng mabigo ang plano mo; ang magagawa na lang ay bawasan ang perwisyo nito at tanggapin ng maayos ang resulta nito. Makakabuo ka naman ng bagong ideya upang maabot pa ang ambisyon mo; hindi ka matatakot sumubok ulit at malaki ang tsansang matupad ito. Magtatrabaho ka ng husto at magtatagumpay sa tulong ng mga kasamahan. Marami ang magugulat sa iyong pag-asenso; manatiling mapagkumbaba. Lucky numbers: 17, 29, 36 at 40. 

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97 
Magkakaroon ng mabilis na pagbabago sa sitwasyon ngayon. Doblehin ang pag-iingat. Kung hindi maiwasang magbyahe, asahan na ang iba’t ibang aberya. Ang problema mo sa kasamahan ay makakaapekto sa relasyon mo sa malalapit sa iyo. Mag-ingat na mapasama sa napakaraming nabibiktima ng panloloko, iwasang pumasok sa isang magulong relasyon. Lucky numbers: 5, 12, 28 at 37.
.
TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98 
Karisma, talino at alindog ang mga katangiang angkin mo kaya marami ang maiinggit sa iyo. Pero mag-ingat sa labis na kompiyansa sa sarili na maaaring maging dahilan ng mga pagkakamali. Ang masayang disposisyon ay sumasalamin sa magandang samahan sa pamilya. Huwag maging kampante sa magandang resulta ng iyong mga proyekto, mas mainam ang laging nag-iingat. Lucky numbers: 11, 29, 39 at 47. 

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87 
Madali kang mairita, na malayo sa dating ugali mo na mahinahon at mabait; mahirap sabihin kung ano ang pinagmumulan ng init ng ulo, pero hindi mo maiwasan ang mainis dahil sa mga nangyayari sa linggong ito. Hangga’t maaari ay ayaw mo nang may kasama sa trabaho, pero wala kang magagawa kaya pagtiisan muna ang sitwasyon dahil magbubunga din ng maganda ang iyong pasensya. Pagod ang mga mata mo kaya apektado ang paningin. Lucky numbers: 11, 18, 35 at 40.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88 
Kung gagawa ng intelihenteng pagkilos, ito ang tamang oras. Kaya mong mag-isip ng mga bagay ng sabay-sabay nang hindi ka nalilito. Kung gugustuhin mo ay kaya mong gawin na mapaganda ang katawan, pero kailangang paghirapan ito. Huwag mag-ambisyong magagawa mo ang lahat; alamin ang limitasyon mo kung nais mong mapanatili ang magandang kalusugan ng katawan at isip. Lucky numbers: 10, 21, 25 at 38.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89 
May oras na tinatamad kang kumilos, pero may oras ding gagawa ka ng kakaibang hakbang. Mapapagod ka sa mga kaganapan sa paligid mo at maging ang mga kasamahan mo ay malilito. Makakalimutan mo saglit ang magtipid at mapapagastos ka, pero hindi naman maapektuhan ang kalagayang pinansyal. Pero mag-ingat ng husto at iwasang pumasok sa delikadong transaksyon, o kumagat sa magagandang alok. Lucky numbers: 9, 22, 37 at 45.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Para kang nangangapa sa ngayon, pero mahahanap mo rin ang dating agresibong sarili upang makapagsimula kang muli, at nanaisin mo pang makipag-kumpitensya sa iba. May tsansa rin na magkaroon ng mga bagong kaibigan; magagamit mo rin ang personal na relasyon ng mga kaibigan upang makatulong sa iyong trabaho o negosyo. Ingatan ang mga tenga, protektahan ang mga ito sa labis na ingay. Lucky numbers: 12, 16, 31 at 43.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91 
Nahahati ang puso mo sa pagitan ng pagkakaroon ng mas matatag na kalagayan, o ang mag-enjoy sa mga bagong karanasan sa piling ng mahal mo. Maiinis ang malalapit sa iyo dahil sa paiba-iba mong desisyon. Mag-ingat at baka dumaan sa matinding depresyon! Kumilos agad na maagapan ito upang hindi umabot sa nervous breakdown; iwasang magmukmok. Kontrolin ang pagiging agresibo at pabigla-biglang kilos, mahirap sa umpisa, pero kakayanin mo ito. Lucky numbers: 15, 24, 34 at 46.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Samantalahin ang pagkakataong ito na magkaroon ng positibong pananaw at kagustuhang mapabuti ang kalagayan sa paligid, kahit parang napakahirap nito. Sabay-sabay na magdadatingan ang mga bayarin. Makakahanap ka ng paraan na madagdagan ang kita, pero iwasang pumasok sa delikadong transaksyon, maghintay-hintay ka lang muna bago subukan ang swerte, pero huwag muna ngayon. Lucky numbers: 8, 13, 18 at 46. 

TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Mas malaki ang tsansa mong manalo ngayon sa sugal kaysa dati, ito ay magpapasaya sa iyo kahit kaunti upang labanan ang nararamdamang labis na kalungkutan. Mag-isip ng magagandang bagay na gusto mong gawin. Mas magiging mapagbigay at maunawain ka, ituloy mo lang ito dahil ito ang daan sa kaligayahan. Piliting magkaroon ng kapayapaan ng loob at sa iyong paligid, ito ang magpapabago sa iyong kabuuang personalidad. Lucky numbers: 7, 19, 28 at 44.

HK lists the professionals it will welcome

The Government has published the first Talent List of Hong Kong to attract quality people from around the world.

The list highlights specific professions needed most for Hong Kong's economic development.

Chief Secretary and Chairman of the Human Resources Planning Commission Matthew Cheung said: "Hong Kong welcomes talents from all over the world with valuable skills, knowledge and experience to work here, bringing their talent into full play and further developing their careers.

“The promulgation of the Talent List is one of our major initiatives to enhance our competitive advantages in attracting international talents, creating cluster effects, stimulating the development of local talents and propelling Hong Kong forward."

Education is the bridge to one's dreams. 

The list will be updated regularly to keep up with the city’s latest developments and needs.

It specifies 11 professions — waste treatment specialists, asset management professionals, marine insurance experts, fintech professionals, actuaries, data scientists and cyber security specialists, innovation and technology experts, naval architects, marine engineers and superintendents of ships, creative industry professionals, and dispute resolution experts and transactional lawyers.

Immigration facilitation will be provided to eligible people through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme within its existing annual quota of 1,000.


Successful applicants are not required to have secured an offer of local employment for settlement in Hong Kong.

Those who meet the specifications of their profession on the list will be given bonus marks under the scheme’s General Points Test.

Applications are now open.

Constructive termination

By Cynthia Tellez

“Constructive termination” sounds new to many of those who visit the Mission’s walk-in centre. Some migrants get confused because of certain “feedback” they receive from the Labour Relations Division (LRS) or even from the Labour Tribunal (LT) or Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board (MECAB). Some officers there say that constructive termination does not automatically result to claims of one month’s wage in lieu of notice. In some cases the workers are even advised to withdraw said claim. Pursuing it at the LT or MECAB usually results to the dismissal of the claim.

Before we proceed to the main issue, let me first clarify some matters related to the mentioned government agencies.

The Labour Relations Division or the LRD is the first stop for workers trying to settle a dispute with their employers on money claims, or violations of some provisions of the Labour Ordinance as stated in the employment contract. This first step is to settle matters through conciliation. Meaning, an LRD officer acts as facilitator between the employer and the domestic worker. If the monetary claims are not contested by the respondent (either employer or domestic worker), the matter is settled at that level. In the presence of the labour officer, the employer will hand the payment to the domestic worker and they will both sign a document from the LRD as proof that the claims had all been settled. If it is not settled, or is only partially-settled, then the LRD will refer the claims to either LT or MECAB.  This is the only role of the LRD. The officer can give his/her opinion but cannot force the claimant to follow his/her advice.

The LT or MECAB are like courts but they do not handle criminal cases. They handle only employer and worker disputes related to claims. But the atmosphere is like that in a courtroom. The presiding officer can decide on the claims being heard, unlike the LRD which cannot decide but can only give an opinion. Evidence could be presented in order to win the claim/case against the employer. As mentioned earlier, LT and MECAB can decide but they have NO power to enforce their decision. It can be contested in the LT itself or referred to the High Court for enforcement with a lawyer representing the claimant. But this is another matter.

In the LT or MECAB, to expedite the settlement of claims, both the claimant and respondent are encouraged to settle their dispute outside the Tribunal and come back for a formal resolution if they could come to an agreement. If not, then the Tribunal or MECAB will proceed with the hearing to decide on the items being claimed.

The claimant can still appeal against the decision on one or several of the claims dismissed by LT if the claimant insists that s/he does not want to drop any particular claim/s.

Now for the issue at hand: constructive termination.

Let us be clear first on what is constructive termination of the employment contract.

According to the contract (based on the Employment Ordinance Cap 57)
An employee may terminate his/her contract without notice or payment in lieu if:
* he/she reasonably fears physical danger by violence or disease, such danger not being contemplated under his/her contract
*he/she has been employed under his/her contract for not less than five years and is certified as being permanently unfit for the type of work he/she is engaged to do; or
* he/she is subjected to ill treatment by his/her employer.
“An employee may also terminate his/her contract without notice or payment in lieu on any other ground on which the employee would be entitled to terminate his/her contract without notice at common law, or if any wages are not paid to him/her within one month of the date upon which they become due. An employee exercising his/her right to terminate in such circumstances is deemed to have been dismissed by his/her employer and so is entitled to recover a payment in lieu of notice.” 
—http://www.elexica.com/en/legal-topics/employment-and-benefits/07-termination-in-hong-kong

It is in this light that even if the labour officers in whatever branch of the LD gave you an unsolicited advice, it will still be you who will decide whether you want to accept the said advice.

In the case of the LT or MECAB, they will have to decide anyway on the basis of their appreciation of the merits of the claims based on the statement of both the claimant and respondent - and the evidence presented - should the parties fail to settle amicably. Thus, the best option is just to let the LT Presiding Officer or MECAB Officer decide.

As far as the above explanation is concerned and as far as the experiences of claimants assisted by the Mission in its consultation with some solicitors (lawyer), the constructive termination taken by a domestic worker is a last resort to protect themselves for further harm. A good ground that the worker may be cite is the employer’s non- payment of wages within the designated period. This act of the employer which is a serious breach or violation of the employment contract is deemed to amount to the dismissal of the worker, who must then be entitled to recover a payment in lieu of notice.

For justice’s sake, it would be better to pursue what is justly yours. If your claim for a month’s salary in lieu of notice on the basis of constructive dismissal is dismissed by the LT or the MECAB, you still have an avenue left to appeal against the decision. There is nothing to lose, but there is everything to gain. The decision of any Court can still be contested and this is the essence of fairness and justice. Let us not waste this.

The outcome, whether favourable or unfavourable, would still be helpful in guiding other migrant workers on what actions to take, and to us also in the Mission, in our effort to help others pursue their claims.

If you need more clarity on this matter or on any matter concerning your employment, you can visit us in our office at St John’s Cathedral, or call us at 2522 8264 or 2537 1333.
---
This is the monthly column from the Mission for Migrant Workers, an institution that has been serving the needs of migrant workers in Hong Kong for over 31 years. The Mission, headed by its general manager, Cynthia Tellez, assists migrant workers who are in distress, and  focuses its efforts on crisis intervention and prevention through migrant empowerment. Mission has its offices at St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Central, and may be reached through tel. no. 2522 8264.

Illegal na singil ng ahensiya, isang ugat ng ‘debt trap’

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Muling umagaw ng pansin ang usaping utang nang mahuli ng mga pulis ang isang matandang taga-Hong Kong at ang kanyang katulong na Pilipina sa isang operasyon noong nakalipas na buwan laban sa mga nagpapautang na labis-labis ang patubo.

Mahigit 400 pasaporte ng Pilipinas ang nasamsam sa bahay ng nagpapautang sa North Point, at ilan sa mga iyon diumano ay matagal nang paso. Ibig lang sabihin na malaon na ring nasa ganoong negosyo ang nahuling “loan shark”.

Ang mga nasamsam na pasaporte sa operasyong iyon sa North Point at ang daan-daan pang mga pasaporteng nabawi ng mga pulis sa iba pang mga katulad na operasyon sa Mongkok at Tsuen Wan nitong nakaraang isang taon ay nagpapakita lamang ng kung gaano kalalim ang pagkakahilig ng mga kababayan natin sa pangungutang.

Maging si Consul General Antonio Morales ay nababahala sa pagkakabaon sa utang ng mga manggagawa nating narito sa Hong Kong.

“Ang isa nating laging paalala ay yung sa pautang-utang din dahil hindi naman maiiwasan, talagang nangungutang ang ating mga kababayan. Nagigipit. Yung iba siguro sa illegal lender pa umuutang dahil siguro may utang na siya sa regular o kaya mas mas konti ang requirement. Pero kailangang laging paalalahanan sila. Sobrang laki ang interest doon,” ani Congen Morales.

Maraming dahilan kung bakit nababaon sa utang ang mga kapwa nating manggagawa. Isa rito ang pangangailangan ng pera ng mga mahal nila sa buhay sa Pilipinas.

Ang akala kasi ng mga naiwan doon, basta sa ibang bansa nagtatrabaho ang isang kapamilya ay malakas ang kanyang kita. Sa isip nila ay winawalis lang ang pera rito sa ibang lugar. Kaya maya’t maya’y humihingi sila ng pera o magpapabili ng kung anu-ano.

Ang isa pang dahilan ng pagkakabaon sa utang ay ang pagsusugal. Kahit bawal ito sa Hong Kong, maliban sa pinahihintulutang uri ng sugal tulad ng karera ng kabayo at Mark Six na isinasagawa ng Hong Kong Jockey Club, nagagawa pa rin ng mga kababayan natin ang magsugal kapag araw ng pahinga nila.

Sa mga tambayan ng mga OFW sa Central at iba pang mga lugar ay makikita mo ang mga pangkat ng manggagawang naglalaro ng pusoy at kung anu-ano pang larong baraha.

Kahit sa mga tulay malapit sa konsulado ay may ilang mga grupong nagbabaraha, at may panahon pa noon na lantaran ang pagtataya nila ng tig-$500 sa bawat laro. Kapag kumikilos ang mga pulis laban sa mga kababayan nating sugarol ay nawawala ang mga ito, o patago silang tumataya.

Ayon sa ilang nakakaalam, sa cellphone naman daw inililista ang mga panalo at talo at mga taya. Hindi na sa kapirasong papel o notebook na itinatago ng mga nagsusugal sa ilalim ng inuupuan nilang nakalatag na karton.

Mayroon ding nababaon sa utang dahil natutuksong bumili nang bumili ng mga damit at iba pang mga gamit o bagay kapag nakikitang “sale” ang mga ito sa mga tindahan. Dahil hindi makapagtimpi ay nauubusan ng pera ang isang OFW at napipilitang mangutang.

Isang dahilan marahil ng pagkakalugmok sa utang ay ang pagdadala ng employment agency sa OFW sa lending company sa unang araw pa lang niya rito. Doon ay ikukuha siya ng loan, papipirmahin sa kasunduan, ngunit sa ahensiya mapupunta ang pera.

Sapilitan ang ganitong pangungutang na ipinaaako ng mga ahensiya sa mga bagong-salta at nagiging dahilan tuloy ng pagkakalubog nila sa utang. Ang iba, sa kamalasan, ay nasisisante pagkaraan ng ilang araw o linggo pa lamang sa amo ngunit sinisingil pa rin ng lending company.

Ilan nang kasambahay na may ganitong karanasan ang dumulog sa amin dahil nagkaproblema sa utang sanhi ng pananamantala ng mga ahensiya. Natitiyak naming daan-daang OFW rito sa Hong Kong ang dumanas din ng ganito.

Ito ay isang bagay na dapat halungkatin ng mga kinauukulan sa Pilipinas at dito sa Hong Kong na maaaring dahilan ng pagkakabaon sa utang isang OFW bago pa lang siya makapagsimula sa trabaho.

Sinabi ni ConGen Morales na kakasuhan ng Konsulado ang mga ahensiyang may ganitong illegal na gawain, kailangan lang na may mga biktimang handang tumestigo laban sa mga nagsamantalang ahensiya.     

Anuman ang dahilan ng pagkakabaon sa utang, dapat maging matapang ang nasa ganyang kalagayan na tukuyin ang ugat nito at makipagtulungan sa mga awtoridad upang mapuksa ang ugat, at makalaya siya sa tinatatawag na “debt trap”. 

No OFW casualty from Mangkhut’s rampage

A felled tree on Queensway, where many OFWs gather on Sundays

By Daisy CL Mandap

Philippine labour officials say no Filipino migrant worker suffered serious injuries from the havoc created by severe typhoon Mangkhut which lashed Hong Kong for nearly the whole day yesterday.

Labor Attache Nida Romulo said no one had called the Philippine Overseas Labour Office to ask for help, or complain about typhoon-related injuries.

Neither was there any request for assistance for family members who might have been affected by the typhoon which swept across the Philippines earlier.

“We do have a ward at the FWRC (for Filipino Workers Resource Centre, POLO’s shelter) who hails from one of the worst-hit areas in the northern Philippines, and we took it upon ourselves to ask help from our government on her behalf,” said Romulo.

A big factor that may have helped in preventing injuries, including those of migrant workers, was the hoisting of typhoon signal no 10, the strongest possible, early in the day. This, plus the repeated warning that Mangkhut was the most intense storm to ever hit Hong Kong, appeared to have spooked everyone into staying indoors.

A day-after check of the favorite haunts of migrant workers, like the parks in Central and Admiralty and the IFC walkway showed that they were, indeed, well advised not to venture outdoors, as these were among that sustained heavy damage from the storm. 

Lockhart Playground beside POLO

Uprooted trees were everywhere, hours after Mangkhut roared away from the city, including a big one that straddled a main artery of Queensway, where the Consulate offices are located. 

Throughout Sunday, officers from POLO and its attached agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, reportedly kept tabs on what was happening in the community through Facebook and messages sent to them by various people.

They also kept touch with Consulate officials led by Consul General Antonio Morales who reportedly monitored the situation throughout the day.

Welfare officer Virsie B. Tamayao said they did receive a report about Filipina domestic worker Aleya Acero being slightly injured after the rooftop kitchen in her employer’s house in Taipo collapsed, but the victim herself did not seek their help.

In a Facebook post that was shared extensively by Filipinos, Acero posted pictures of the heavily damaged kitchen, and narrated how the collapsed tin roof that ended up covering her head prevented her sustaining more severe injuries.

Aleya Acero had a narrow escape when her employer's kitchen collapsed

Acero said that when another gust of strong wind blew away the tin roof away, she scampered to run to the lower level where her employer’s family had gathered, and were calling out to her, fearing for her safety.

At least one other OFW, Meryl Baron, shared photos of the shattered windows in her room, which she said resulted in all her things getting wet and damaged. She was, however, apparently unhurt.

 

Shattered window in Meryl Baron's room

A report that proved to be totally false was that of a Filipina domestic worker who was purportedly rescued from being blown away by strong winds, after insisting on going out for her day off.

A closer look at the video that was used as basis for the story showed that the supposed Filipina was a teenage boy who had apparently strayed outdoors for unknown reasons. He was eventually brought to safety by an older male companion.  

Tamayao said that all the reports they received about OFWs who may have been affected were all forwarded to the Department of Labor and Employment and to OWWA, which had asked them to monitor the situation in Hong Kong.

Despite the all-clear, POLO officials say OFWs who may have been adversely affected by the typhoon may approach them for help, including those who might have been told by their employers to go out for their day off, despite the extreme weather conditions.

Filipina typhoon victim to undergo second operation

By Daisy CL Mandap

The Filipina tourist who was hit by a falling signage suffered injuries to her legs and arms

A Filipina tourist who was hit by falling debris in Tsimshatsui yesterday amid the onslaught of severe typhoon Mangkhut, is set to undergo a second operation in Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kowloon.

This was according to Consul Paulo Saret, head of the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate, which has been assisting the victim.

Saret said that the Filipina was hit by a falling signage, and sustained serious injuries to her legs and arms. She underwent surgery within hours of being admitted to hospital, but will have to go under the knife for a second time.

She is, however, expected to recover fully from her injuries.

According to ATN’s Danny Baldon, the victim, who is a dentist, had gone out of her hotel room to buy coffee from a nearby 7-11 outlet when she met the accident.

Consul Saret

A sister-in-law who came to Hong Kong with the victim has reportedly provided information about the case to the Consulate.

Earlier reports that spread through wildfire on social media was that the Filipina had died after being hit by a dislodged air conditioner in Mirador Mansions in Tsimshatsui. The story, which rapidly circulated among Filipinos and was even picked up by a Manila TV station, proved to be wrong on all counts.

Saret, meanwhile, is also looking into the filing of a complaint with Hong Kong authorities about a tour operator who had left a group of Filipino tourists stranded for hours near the Tsing Ma bridge at the height of the storm yesterday.

The 36 tourists, who included two children and three seniors, were reportedly picked up by the tour agent at their hotel in Tsing Yi at about 10am, shortly after signal no 10 was hoisted, and were on their way to the airport when the vehicle’s windshield crashed from the strong winds.

The tourists were reportedly left inside the bus with the shattered glass for hours, until someone managed to call the Consulate to ask for help. Baldon immediately called 999, and by around 5pm, the tourists were pulled out of the bus and sent back to their hotel.

Saret said that since the rescue, no one in the tour group had called up the Consulate again, so they assume everyone managed to get on their flights back to the Philippines without a hitch.

Still, he said they will pursue a complaint about the incident to relevant government officials in Hong Kong.

“We have already drafted a complaint letter and intend to send it to the Hong Kong authorities soon,” he said.

Saret said another casualty of Mangkhut’s onslaught was the scheduled legal consultation and forum at the Consulate by members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Batangas chapter.

The visiting lawyers had to skip the Sunday session with OFWs, but reportedly passed by the Consulate on their way to the airport earlier today, to pay a courtesy visit to Consul General Antonio A. Morales.

PCG holds outreach on cruise ship

The Consulate has conducted an outreach on board the cruise ship Star Pisces to provide consular services to its 300 Filipino personnel.

Consul General Antonio A. Morales led the 10-member consular team that conducted the outreach on Sept 7 on board the Star Pisces, which is based at Ocean Terminal in Tsimshatsui.

Morales said the team had performed overseas voting registration and other consular services for the Filipinos who work on the vessel.

He said that the Consulate would be ready to carry out similar outreaches for Filipino seafarers of foreign vessels calling at Hong Kong’s port if he receives a request from the crew or from the ship owners or operators.

Philippine Consulate General representatives, led by Consul General Antonio A. Morales, provided consular services to Filipino crewmembers of Star Pisces, a cruise ship, while docked at the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. 

“We are ready to extend consular services to Filipino crew of ships that dock in Hong Kong except that we have not received requests and we were told that there are not too many of them because now may of the ships are highly automated so the number of crews is not that high,” ConGen Morales said.

“But if we receive a request, we are ready to send an outreach team,” he said.

Star Pisces is operated by Star Cruises, which dominates the Asia-Pacific cruise market and is owned by Genting Hong Kong. The consul general said the Consulate was requested by Resorts World, Genting’s tourism unit, to undertake the outreach.

Star Pisces Captain Henrik Ortenblad welcomed the 10-member consular team aboard.

Morales then addressed the vessels’ Filipino personnel. Vice Consul Fatima G. Quintin introduced the different consular services.

The team offered services such as overseas voting registration, Social Security System and Pag-IBIG transactions, legal advice, and counseling and advice from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The outreach lasted from 10am to 3pm.