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| Screen grab from a video showing Jethro Pioquinto being arrested. |
By Vir B. Lumicao
A Filipino male employee of Hong Kong Disneyland is in hospital for
examination and treatment of injuries he sustained in a police
operation during an anti-extradition bill rally in Mong Kok on Saturday
evening, Aug 3.
Jethro Pioquinto, a performer at Disneyland, was pinned to the
ground and arrested by police who caught up with him, video footages
show.
Danny Baldon, an officer of the Consulate’s assistance to national
section, said Pioquinto was placed in the custody of the North Point
Police Station.
But later, he was taken to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
in Chai Wan where he was being treated for injuries he suffered during
the police operation, Baldon said.
The ATN officer said he was not able to see Pioquinto at the police
station because the authorities were investigating him for alleged
rioting, so they were strict regarding visits.
Rioting is considered a serious offense that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Baldon said the Filipino was being assisted by a group of pro bono
Hong Kong lawyers, identified by another source as Progressive Lawyers
Group.
Friends of Pioquinto said in posts on Facebook that he was just
walking in Mong Kok on his way home when he chanced upon an area where
police were breaking up a rally that had turned into clashes.
A video clip showed police in battle gear running after a group of
protesters until a man wearing a black shirt and black jeans tumbled to
the ground and was ganged upon and subdued by the officers.
Videos of Pioquinto’s arrest were first uploaded online by one of
his friends, Jacky Juntaro, who appealed for help on his behalf, and
asked people to share his post until the right people are reached.
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Photo of Jethro Pioquinto in his Facebook page.
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“Hong Kong police just arrested our Pinoy friend who’s not joining
the protest but just passing by Mongkok, and the police knocked him down
and arrested him! Pray for our beloved friend!” Juntaro said in his
post.
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