Pinoy’s drug trafficking case elevated to DC

 

HK International Airport (Google Maps photo)

A Filipino bartender charged at West Kowloon Court with drug trafficking after his luggage allegedly yielded eight kilos of marijuana when searched at the airport, returned to jail today after his case was elevated to the District Court.

Principal Magistrate  Don So adjourned the case to June 18,

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Aaron Jared de Guzman, 26 years old, faces two charges:

• Trafficking in a dangerous drug, contrary to section 4(1)(a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
• Possession of a poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List, contrary to sections 23(1), 33(1) and 34 of the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

De Guzman was arrested on Aug. 30 last year minutes after arrival, when Customs officers checked his luggage at the Customs Arrival Hall B at the Passenger Terminal 1 of the Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok.

Found in his luggage were 8,076 grams of cannabis in herbal form.

He was also found to have in his possession a poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List, namely 5.42 grams of a liquid containing nicotine.

Filipino wanted for human trafficking arrested after repatriation from Cambodia

 

The suspect was among 7 Filipinos repatriated from Cambodia

A man who was among seven Filipinos repatriated from Cambodia on Sunday was arrested by an inter-government team shortly arriving at Manila international airport after he was found to have an existing warrant of arrest for qualified human trafficking. 

John Lerry Amit came with six victims of human trafficking to Cambodia at around 5:15am on Sunday. The group was immediately assessed individually for whatever services they could avail of from various government agencies.

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It was during the processing that Amit was found to have an outstanding arrest warrant for qualified human trafficking, the details of which were not disclosed in a press statement issued by the Department of Migrant Workers.

The offence is non-bailable under Philippine law, and the prescribed maximum sentence for those found guilty of the crime is life imprisonment, and fine of up to Php5 million.

Details here

Human trafficking is classified as “qualified” in the presence of such aggravating factors as having been committed by a syndicate, where at least one victim was a minor or under 18 years old, if the victim dies or becomes insane, suffers mutilation or is infected with HIV/AIDS.

Amit was immediately read out his rights as an accused under Philippine law, and afterwards was transferred to the custody of airport police ahead of his detention and court appearance.

Basahin ang detalye!

The DMW said it continues to work with various government agencies in the campaign against illegal recruitment, human trafficking and other forms of exploitation of Filipinos abroad.

The rescue, protection and provision of legal assistance to victims is a top priority, alongside efforts to immediately arrest and hold accountable those behind illegal recruitment and human trafficking offences.

 

 

2 DHs in jail over alleged thefts of around $1M each

 

District Court

Two domestic helpers charged in separate theft cases involving around $1 million each, were sent back to jail after hearings at District Court last week.

The two, accused of theft contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, were Jeanny Llarenas, 50 years old, and Analyn Doregios, 44 years old. Both cases were adjourned to Aug. 25 by Judge Stanley Chan.

Llarenas, 50 years old, is charged with theft for allegedly stealing five watches, two gold pendants, three necklaces, one pair of earrings and two bracelets worth $1,010,000 between of March 26, 2025 and Oct. 15, 2025 at their house n Deerhill Bay on Tai Po Road - Tai Po Kau, Tai Po.

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Originally, when the case was taken up by Fanling Court on Dec. 12, 2025, she was accused in the first charge filed by police, of stealing two Rolex watches with a total value of $500,000 on an unknown date between June 1 and Oct 15 this year.

The second charge involved the theft of two Rolex watches and a Citizen watch worth a total  of $510,000 during the same period.

The two charges were consolidated when it reached the District Court.

Details here

Doregios was originally charged at the West Kowloon Court. Her case was elevated to the District Court last May 12.

She is accused of stealing 34 pieces of gold ornaments (including bracelets, necklaces, pendants and rings), 300 British pounds in cash, 10,000 Euros in cash and 3,000 Swiss francs in cash, total value about HK$940,000, the property of Wong Cheuk Kiu.

Basahin ang detalye!

The theft allegedly took place between June 13 and Nov. 5, 2025, at her employer’s flat in Belvedere Garden Phase 3, on Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan.

The two Filipinas have been in jail since their respective arrest.

DMW applauds SC’s dismissal of appeal in illegal recruitment case

 

Job applicants are advised to check if a recruiter is licensed with DMW

The Department of Migrant Workers has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the appeal of a Filipina recruiter against the lower courts’ decision to convict her of large-scale illegal recruitment involving sabotage.

The Philippines’ highest court not only upheld the decision to sentence Natalie Caluducan to life imprisonment, it also increased the fine imposed on her to Php5 million. She was likewise ordered to reimburse her three victims the amounts they paid as placement fees, with interest of 6% per annum computed from the date of the SC decision.

The SC found Caluducan, together with her co-accused Tessie Tugaoen, who remains at large, falsely represented themselves as capable of deploying workers abroad and collected between Php125,000 and Php212,000 from three victims for placement and processing fees.

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Calucudan had argued that she could not be held liable for the illegal recruitment of the three jobseekers from Cagayan in 2012 as she was not the one who received their money and promised them jobs as worm pickers in Canada. 

In dismissing the appeal, the SC ruled that illegal recruitment may be committed even if the recruiter did not personally receive the money, as long as the offender gave the impression of having the power or authority to send workers abroad for employment. 

The court upheld the rulings of both the Regional Trial Court of Aparri, Cagayan and the Court of Appeals finding Calucudan guilty of massive illegal recruitment along with Tugaoen, for offering the overseas jobs to the victims, despite having no licence or authority from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. 

Details here

During the trial, it emerged that the victims were promised a monthly income of Php88,000 once they got deployed as worm pickers in Canada.

Tugaoen was the one who offered them the jobs in 2012 and received from the three the following amounts in processing fee: Php215,166.14; PHP 212,593.675; and PHP 125,037.35.

Upon Tugaoen's instruction, the three met with Caluducan in July 2013 to fill up and sign their purported employment contracts.

During their meeting, Caluducan represented that she is Tugaoen's business partner. She also assured the victims months after they had paid the fees that their job applications were still being processed.

Basahin ang detalye!

Failing to get anywhere with their applications despite paying the hefty fees, the victims asked POEA to check whether Tugaoen and Calucdan were licensed recruiters. They were informed via a certification that the two were not licensed or authorized to recruit workers for overseas.

The victims then sought POEA’s help to file a complaint against both Tugaoen and Calucdan. Tugaoen had by then gone into hiding, while Calucdan pleaded not guilty to the charge of large-scale human trafficking.

The DMW commended the courage of the victims in pursuing justice, and reiterated its commitment to protect the welfare and uphold the rights of Filipino migrant workers.

The DMW also reminded the public to transact only with licensed recruiters and to verify job offers and recruitment agencies through its webpage:  (https://dmw.gov.ph/) before applying or paying any fees.

Illegal recruitment victims and concerned individuals  are urged to seek help from the DMW's Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) through its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip/), the DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program, via email at mwpb@dmw.gov.ph, or through their hotline number (+63 2 8721-0619).

They may also go to the nearest DMW Regional Office to their location for legal assistance in filing cases against illegal recruiters.

Pinoy in jail after jumping bail in HK$5.55M money-laundering case

 

Ledesma after District Court hearing on Jan. 4, 2024 (File photo)

A Filipino facing a money laundering charge involving US dollars and euros with a total value of HK$5.55 million, has been remanded in jail by the District Court after it adjourned the case to Aug. 11 for mention.

Jose Rizaldo Ledesma, who was unrepresented by a lawyer, had earlier been re-arrested under a warrant for jumping bail after not showing up for the second of the three-day trial on the same case on April 1 last year.

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Judge E. Lee remanded him in jail after hearing the circumstances of his absence.

Ledesma, a former musician, is charged with dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to section 25(1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance. The offence is punishable by up to 14 years in jail and a maximum fine of $5 million.

Details here

The charge arose from €21,500 Euros and US $706,468.21 in illicit funds that passed through his account with the Bank of China. (Hong Kong) Limited between Aug. 5, 2020 and Oct. 21, 2020.

Ledesma had earlier pleaded not guilty and was on the second day of his trial at the District Court when he jumped bail. His cash bail of $300 was forfeited by Judge G. Lam, who ordered that he not be allowed to post bail once arrested.

Basahin ang detalye!

Ledesma, according to the police complaint, is also known as Ledesma Jose. Rizaldo Raymundo and Leoesma Tose Rizhido R.

Pinay found guilty of voyeurism, to appeal

 

La Marina, where the offense allegedly took place (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina was today found guilty of voyeurism after trial at Eastern Court and was sentenced to 14 days’ jail, but she is appealing the magistrate’s decision.

Geraldine M. Albarico a 42-year-old wife and mother, is on bail of $2,500 pending an appeal.

Magistrate Wat, said he did not give more weight to the claim of X, a local housewife, that her domestic helper Albarico had secretly took a photo of her while she was taking a bath after a drunken spree and sent it to her Philippine number.

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But she drew the line on the possibility that private photos of people could be spread.  

The charge sheet said the voyeurism, an act contrary to section 159AAB (1) and (3) of the Crimes Ordinance, happened on an unknown date between Sept 1, 2023 and Feb 25, 2024 inside the bathroom of a flat in La Marina, Aberdeen.

X said she came to know about the photo, which was taken with a phone they used for family chats and showed one of X's breasts as she lay in the bathtub, only when she began scrolling through the photos in the phone about four to five months after sacking the helper.

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On cross-examination, Albrarico’s lawyer put it to X that no such photo existed because if it did, she would have shown it to the police when she filed her complaint against her former maid.

“You did not take it to the police because such a photo did not exist,” said the lawyer. “Either you’re making things up or your memory was bad.” X disagreed.

Press for details

The court heard that there were about 500 photos in the family phone, mostly showing Albarico  washing X’s hair and applying oil on her scalp, as well as performing “gua sha” – a traditional Chinese method of healing that involves scraping the skin – on the employer.

The lawyer also suggested to X that the reason she made up the allegation was because Albarico refused to sign another contract with her, despite her salary being raised from $6,000 to $6,500 a month. When she declined to renew, X terminated their contract with only two months to go.

Basahin ang detalye!

Albarico, who by then had found another employer, was about to fly back to the Philippines for a short vacation to attend her son’s graduation when she was detained at Hong Kong Airport as a result of  X’s complaint.

HK Police arrest 14-year-old boy over blade left on bus

 

Police announcing the arrest of the teenager

Police said on Friday that they had arrested a 14-year-old student suspected of leaving an open cutter in between seats on a Citybus after an argument with a school mate.

The 13-centimeter cutter was found by another passenger with about a centimeter of its blade protruding from the gap between two seats of a Citybus route 37A. No injury was reported.

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The passenger alerted police, who had the bus driven to a terminus in Admiralty, where the cutter was retrieved.

Following a review of the CCTV from the bus, the police managed to identify the teenager, and arrested him on Thursday afternoon.

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The police investigation showed the teenager boarded the bus with a classmate on the southern part of Hong Kong island.

A dispute between the two resulted in the 14-year-old boy brandishing the cutter blade in front of the other student, then left it between the two seats before getting off in Wan Chai.

Press for details

The other passenger found the open cutter on the upper deck of the bus as it was nearing Admiralty.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and wounding with intent. He was released on police bail pending further investigation.

Basahin ang detalye!

Police said the case was an isolated incident, with no evidence of gang involvement.

It was also apparently unrelated to an incident four days earlier, when a woman passenger was pricked on the back by a needle left on another Citybus.

Police reminded passengers on public utility vehicle to act responsibly and avoid committing act that could endanger other people’s safety.

 

HK Observatory warns of very hot summer

 

The Observatory held a joint news conference with an association for elderly safety

The Hong Kong Observatory has advised the public to prepare for a very hot summer this year, two days after hoisting the first “very hot weather” warning this year.

HKO Acting Assistant Director Choy Chun-wing said at a press conference that the extremely hot weather will continue until Friday, especially during the day. Everyone who ventures out is advised to take adequate protective measures against the heat.

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Temperatures will continue to hit the 35-degree mark in the urban areas, while in the New Territories, it could go up to between 36 and 37 degrees.

Choy further explained that because of El Niño the sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equators of the Pacific are expected to continue rising. An El Niño event is forecast to develop during summer and autumn, and could last until the end of the year or early next year.

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As a result of the combined effects of global warming and a stronger El Nino, Hong Kong is expected to be hotter than normal this year and next year, with the annual mean temperature rising above normal.

Choy warned there will be a high chance of this year’s temperatures reaching the ten top warmest years on record.

The Hong Kong public is advised to prepare for the very hot weather this summer. Those who are vulnerable to heat stroke are particularly advised to take extra care.

Press for details

Joining the press conference was Maura Wong, chief executive officer of the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association, who warned that the elderly are more prone to heat exhaustion and heat stroke during the height of summer.

She said that a telephone survey conducted by her group last year showed that nearly one in four elderly persons reported feeling unwell due to the heat. They reported feeling dizzy or had difficulty breathing.

Last summer alone, the Association handled more than 7,700 emergency cases that required hospitalization.

Basahin ang detalye!

And just last Tuesday, the Association recorded 1,912 emergency calls, a figure that was eight percent higher than its daily average.

Choy urged the elderly and their carers to take extra precautions against the heat, particularly during the height of summer.

Pinay admits laundering $4.67 million; mitigation set

 

The District Court in Wanchai 

A Filipina domestic helper pleaded guilty today at the District Court to three counts of money laundering involving $4.67 million, averting a trial that was originally set for four days.

Lilian Amasula, 52 years old, was remanded in jail until Aug. 20 for mitigation, where her lawyer will be allowed to cite reasons for Judge A. N. Tse Ching to temper the sentence he will hand down.

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Amasula first appeared at the District Court on March 13, after Eastern Court Principal Magistrate Don So elevated the case.

She was charged in the three cases with dealing with propetty known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to section 25(1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinancе.

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In the first charge, Amasula is accused of conspiring with a person known as “Maribeth Sebastian” of laundering a total of $2,026,373.31 in Amasula's Standard Chartered Bank account, between Apr. 2 and 17, 2023.

In the second charge, Amasula and Sebastian are accused of laundering a total of $2,185,037.06 in Amasula's Mox Bank Limited account, between Apr 2 and 26, 2023.

Press for details

In the third charge, Amasula and Sebastian are again accused of laundering a total of $465,206.79 in Amasula's account with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Ltd. between the 2nd and 12^th  of April 2023.

The two accused are charged with “knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that the sums involved, “in whole or in part, directly or indirectly” represented proceeds of an indictable offence, as provided by section 25(1) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinancе.

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The Ordinancе also provides that a person who commits an offense under subsection (1) is liable—

(a) on conviction upon indictment to a fine of $5,000,000 and to imprisonment for 14 years; or

(b) on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and to imprisonment for 3 years.

Open cutter found inside HK bus

 

The partially exposed cutter was wedged between seats on 37A Citybus (TheStandard photo)

A cutter with part of its blade exposed was found wedged between seats on a Citybus as it was travelling toward Pacific Place in Admiralty Wednesday afternoon.

Reports said it was the second incident of a sharp object being found on a bus in Central in four days.

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A passenger on a 37A Citybus bound for Chi Fu Fa Yuen reported finding the blade around 5pm after getting aboard on Queen’s Road East.

A 13 cm cutter with about 1cm of the blade exposed was found inside the gap between two seats located near the rear of the bus.

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The driver drove the bus to a bus terminus in Admiralty where police boarded to check on the report.

No injuries were reported and no one was arrested. But the case has been classified as attempted wounding with intent and is being investigated by the Central crime unit of the HK Police.

Press for details

On Saturday, a 43-year-old woman was pricked by a 5cm sewing needle stuck on the back of a seat on a 15C Citybus on Garden Road.

Basahin ang detalye!

The woman was taken to hospital after feeling a sharp pain in her back.

No arrests have been made.

Pinay who claimed fear of step-father's ire loses non-refoulement appeal

The High Court, where the Court of First Instance holds sessions

A Filipina who sought non-refoulement protection from deportation by Hong Kong, claiming that her step-father would harm her because she had been asking her mother to leave him due to domestic violence and abuse, has lost her leave for application to appeal to the Court of First Instance.

Hilda Coronel had appealed the decision of the Torture Claims Appeal Board and the Immigration Department rejecting her non-refoulement claim after it failed on all the applicable grounds under the Unified Screening Mechanism (USM), such as risk to life and risk of torture. 

The Board found that the applicant was never intentionally harmed by her step-father, according to the High Court decision, written by Gladys Lee on orders of Deputy High Court Judge Michael Wong. “The applicant conceded that her step-father’s only physical contact with her during the incident in January 2020 had been purely accidental,” it said. 

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“The step-father never physically harmed the applicant’s brothers.  There was no evidence that the applicant, her mother and brothers had ever suffered any severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, as a result of any ill-treatment by the applicant’s step-father, that would be sufficient to establish any of the applicable grounds under the US,” he decision said.

“In gist, the Board found that the applicant was never intentionally harmed by her step-father.  The applicant conceded that her step-father’s only physical contact with her during the incident in January 2020 had been purely accidental.  The step-father never physically harmed the applicant’s brothers,” it said.

“There was no evidence that the applicant, her mother and brothers had ever suffered any severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, as a result of any ill-treatment by the applicant’s step-father, that would be sufficient to establish any of the applicable grounds under the USM.

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“Moreover, neither the applicant nor any of her family members had ever reported any ill-treatment by her step-father to the police in the Philippines and/or to any of the other authorities there,” the decision added. 

Establishing these facts was the sole function of the Board and Immigration, and the court “finds nothing wrong or unreasonable in the way the Board reached its conclusion,” it said.

In her appeal, Coronel “did not advance any ground for her intended judicial review,” it added.

Press for details

Instead, she used “some general grounds which were in fact used by many applicants in similar applications as their grounds for applying leave to judicially review the Board’s decisions,” it said. 

“It is like a template for such applicants and they just used the grounds stated therein without any regard to their own situations.  The applicant is no exception,” it added.

Still, the court dealt with her assertions, such as the Board committing precedural impropriety which she did not identify.

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“Contrary to the applicant’s assertion, this court finds that the Board had analyzed the applicant’s claims in detail, and had provided full and justified reasons for rejecting the applicant’s claim for non-refoulement protection,” it said.

The ruling added: “This court finds that none of the matters that were raised by the applicant in her supporting affidavit constitutes a valid ground to challenge the Board’s Decision.”