20 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations

 

Immigration officers round up illegal work suspects

Immigration officers arrested 14 suspected illegal workers, three employers and three overstayers in the latest series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations.

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted its opertions codenamed "Fastrack", "Lightshadow", "Twilight", and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion", for four consecutive days from May 19 to May 22.

During its anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided 75 target locations including commercial buildings, massage parlours, residential buildings, restaurants and retail stores.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

They arrested 12 suspected illegal workers comprising five men and seven women, aged 36 to 60. 

Among them, one woman was a holder of recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment. Three women were also suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Another three women, aged 53 to 60, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.

During operation "Champion", enforcement officers raided 30 target locations in Sham Shui Po District.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Two suspected illegal workers were arrested. The man and the woman both aged 42, were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment.

An ImmD spokesman reminded the public that illegal work is punishable with a fine of up to $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. “Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties," the spokesman added

Basahin ang detalye!

The penalties are even higher for those caught in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment.

It is also a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable, with penalties including a fine of up to $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment.

Hacker spreads false report about OFW's 'death'

 

Still photo from Evelyn's 'proof of life' video

News that a Filipina had died after being found unconscious on her bed prompted a hacker to falsely identify the victim as Evelyn E, even sharing her passport photo to support the claim.

After hacking Evelyn’s account, the hacker then shared a supposed post from her ward, saying she was found unresponsive in bed, holding a shattered cell phone which she had supposedly tried to use to call for help from her male employer.

The more discerning reader would have wondered why the only item that was covered in her passport page was her date of birth, while the more sensitive information like her name and face had been left untouched. 

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Obviously, this was done to make readers believe that Evelyn was the 56-year-old unidentified Filipina who was reported to have died, when her photo shows she is a lot younger.

Nevertheless, the fake story immediately circulated through Facebook shares until it reached the office of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Hong Kong, which immediately asked the employment agency which recruited the worker to check on her.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Evelyn, who was then busy cooking her employer’s dinner, was as shocked as the agency representative when she learned of the fake news that was circulating,

She immediately did two live Facebook posts showing she is well and alive, and asked whoever had posted her passport photo and told people that she had died, to take down the malicious post immediately.

Pindutin para sa detalye

She did not respond categorically to questions as to how her passport had ended up in the wrong hands, saying a number of people already had photos of the document as her account had been hacked previously.

Evelyn relayed that she heard of her supposed death at past 5pm yesterday from a neighbor she met by accident outside her employer’s flat. She was too busy the whole time she did not have the chance to hold her phone, much less scroll through social media posts.

Basahin ang detalye!

Even her employer could no longer call her on her mobile phone that she had to use their landline to talk to her.

Evelyn said  that she will report to OWWA today to seek advice.

 

Filipina helper dies after being found unconscious

 

Queen Mary Hospital where the Filipina migrant worker was declared dead

A 56-year-old Filipina working as a domestic helper who was rushed to hospital unconscious had died early on Saturday.

Reports said the helper’s employer called the police at about 9 am after finding the Filipina in great pain inside her room in their lat on Lyttelton Road, Mid Levels.

Paramedics who arrived at the scene found her unconscious, and immediately transported her to Queen Mary Hospital  in Pokfulam. But her condition rapidly deteriorated, before she was declared dead.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Marites Palma, founder of Social Justice for Migrant Workers, said she had called the helper’s recruitment agency after some concerned Filipino workers contacted her for help.

Palma learned that the deceased had been having recurrent severe stomach ache and had already asked to be released from her contract. Just before she died, the helper had reportedly complained of another severe stomach pain.

Medical findings as to the cause of her death will be known only after the autopsy result is released.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Basahin ang detalye!

Palma sad the agency representative and the deceased helper’s sister who is also working in Hong Kong will report to the Consulate tomorrow to talk about repatriation details.

Court clears DH accused of assault on 3-year-old ward

 

The alleged assault was said to have taken place in a flat in this development (Google Maps)

A domestic helper accused of assaulting a three-year-old girl under her care, has been acquitted after a trial at Kwun Tong court.

A. Domingo, 27 years old, had been charged with “assault by those in charge of child or young person”, which is punishable with up to 10 years' imprisonment under section 27(1) of the Offences against the Person Ordinance.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Domingo was found not guilty on Friday (May 23) by Magistrate Pang Leung-ting, who found the prosecution’s evidence insufficient to prove her guilt.

The case dates back to Sept. 23 last year when police filed charges against her after she was reported by her employer.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Basahin ang detalye!

The charge accused her of “willfully assault(ing) … girl X in a manner likely to cause the said girl X excessive suffering and injury to her health.”

He offense allegedly took place between 18^th and 20^th of September last year at her employer’s flat at Kai Lung Court on Muk On St. in Ngau Tau Kok.

HK swelters in 36 degree-weather

 

 

The elderly and those who work under the sun are at high risk for heat-strokes

The Very Hot Weather warning was issued across Hong Kong on Thursday, as the mercury climbed to 36 degrees Cheung Chau, and slightly lower in Kowloong City and several parts of the New Territories.

The Hong Kong Observatory raised the warning signal throughout the day, and advised residents to seek shelter amid the sweltering heat that could lead to potentially life-threatening conditions such as a heat stroke.

Those most vulnerable to heat-related conditions are outdoor workers, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The extreme heat prompted the Labour Department to advise both employers and employees to take extra care and take appropriate measures to prevent heatstroke when working outdoors of places with hot environments.

It also expressed sorrow over the death of a 42-year-old worker who died on Wednesday after fainting at a construction site at the Prince of Wales Hospital.

According to a labour official the worker’s employers had taken heat stress preventive measures and that the woker had been going about his tasks in a shaded area.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Nevertheless, employers are advised to assess their employees’ risk factors when working under the sun, and take appropriate measures accordingly, like rescheduling work periods, setting up sun shades and providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment.

They should also remind their employees to increase their water intake and take a break whenever necessary.

Amid the rising temperatures Labour has relaunched a subsidy program to help small businesses and labor unions obtain cooling equipment. Through this program, workers can buy at special low price specialized gear including air-conditioned vests and upgraded solar-powered fans for high-risk industries like construction and sanitation.

Basahin ang detalye!

Occupational Safety and Health Council Executive Director Yau Man told reporters that authorities have procured approximately 2,000 air-conditioned vests for the subsidy program. 

She urged eligible businesses that wish to avail of the subsidized heat protection gear to submit applications before the July 18 deadline, emphasizing the equipment's proven effectiveness in mitigating heat stress for outdoor workers.

According to the Observatory, an anticyclone has caused very hot weather to sweep across the the coast of Guangdong, including Hong Kong.

Pinay returned to jail for 7 cases arising from theft, using stolen credit cards

 

The building in which theft took place (Google Maps photo)

A 48-year-old jobless Filipina is now in jail to await the outcome of seven criminal cases filed against her at Kowloon City Court, that arose after she allegedly stole a mobile phone, a Rolex watch and a wallet from a Chinese man in a hotel room in Yau Ma Tei.

In a hearing on Wednesday (May 21), Magistrate Tsang Chung-yiu remanded Mylene Navarro in jail after adjourning the case to June 24.

In information filed last Dec. 18, 2024, Yau Ma Tei Police alleged that Navarro took the three items, worth about $96,095.50 and owned by a certain Lau Chun-ho, from in a room in Rainbow City Inn on Pitt St. in Yau Ma Tei on Nov. 23 last year.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The wallet contained, among other things, five credit cards that would lead her to allegedly commit six “obtaining property by deception” offenses by using them on a one-day shopping spree. These offenses  are punishable under the Theft Ordinance,

Shortly after stealing the wallet, the police alleged, Navarro went to a Circle K store on Jordan Road and charged $1,206 worth of products to Lau’s Standard Chartered Bank Mastercard.

She then went to a Seven-11 store on Bowring Street and ran up a bill for $2,292.50 which she charged to the same credit card.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Navarro shifted to using Lau’s HSBC Mastercard when she bought $227 worth of items at another Seven-11 shop at the MTR Prince Edward station.

She used the same credit card in buying $204 worth of products at a Seven-11 store on Jordan Road.

Navarro shifted back to using the Standard Chartered credit card in paying $138 for a meal at a McDonald’s restaurant on Yen Chow St. in Sham Shui Po.

Basahin ang detalye!

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

By the time she was arrested by police, Navarro had not used the two remaining credit cards in the stolen wallet – a Hang Seng Bank Mastercard and a Hang Seng Card Union Pay card.

Cabinet officials hand in courtesy resignations as ordered by Malacanang

 

Marcos says the election results showed people want change

In a surprise move, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr asked all his Cabinet officials to submit their resignations, in the wake of dismal performance by his senatorial candidates in the recent mid-term elections.

“This is not business as usual… The people have spoken, and they expect results — not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act,” said Marcos, as quoted by the Palace in its release to media.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

“It’s time to realign government with the people’s expectations,” Marcos continued.

The decision comes after only four candidates closely identified with Marcos won seats in the Senate.

BASAHIN ANG DETALYE

It was a “decisive move to recalibrate his administration following the results of the recent elections” said the Palace. This was in apparent reference to criticisms that the President had been too lax or indecisive in running the government.

Palace press officer said that more precisely, the move is aimed at weeding out the “lazy and corrupt.”

Pindutin para sa detalye

But pending the appointment of the new Cabinet officials the government will operate as usual, said Castro.

A performance review of all past incumbents would be undertaken and the results will be announced as soon as possible, she added.

Basahin ang detalye!

Within hours of the president’s call, 33 of his cabinet officials led by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin started handing in their resignations. The rest sent word that they intended to comply with the order.

As of 5pm on Thursday, the following Cabinet-level officials had handed in their resignations:

  

Table with 3 columns and 41 rows. Currently displaying rows 1 to 10.
NAME	POSITION	STATUS
Lucas Bersamin	Executive Secretary	SUBMITTED
Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.	Secretary of Agriculture	SUBMITTED
Sonny Angara	Secretary of Education	SUBMITTED
Ralph Recto	Secretary of Finance	SUBMITTED
Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque	Secretary of Trade and Industry	SUBMITTED
Rex Gatchalian	Secretary of Social Welfare and Development	SUBMITTED
Amenah Pangandaman	Secretary of Budget and Management	TO SUBMIT
Bienvenido Laguesma	Secretary of Labor and Employment	SUBMITTED
Conrado Estrella III	Secretary of Agrarian Reform	SUBMITTED
Jose Acuzar	Secretary of Human Settlements and Urban Development	SUBMITTED

Table: INQUIRER.netGet the dataCreated with Datawrapper

 

 

 

Filipina faces 2nd money-laundering case at DC

 

A Filipina whose money laundering case has been elevated to the District Court because alleged crime money that went though her bank account totalled over $3 million, faced an additional charged today of  dealing in another $288,455.50 of “dirty” money.

Leahlyn Pamonag, 37 years old, was returned to jail custody after appearing before Judge C.P. Pang, who adjourned the case to Aug. 7 at the request of prosecutors who needed to conduct further investigation.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

In the latest case filed by police last April 15, Pamonag is accused of dealing in $288,455.50, “knowing and having reasonable grounds to believe that (the property) … in whole and in part directly represented any person’s proceeds of an indictable crime…”

The charge arose from the deposits and withdrawals in her Mox Bank account from 27^th to 30^th of March, 2023.

BASAHIN ANG DETALYE

Also heard by Judge Pang was an earlier case in which Pamonag is accused of conspiring with an unknown person in dealing with a total of $3,075,807.90 in her Standard Chartered bank account, while knowing, or having reasonable ground to believe, that the money came from crime.

Pindutin para sa detalye

This activity lasted from March 26 to April 30, 2023.

The alleged offences are punishable under section 25(1) and (23) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

Judge Pang is hearing the two cases together.

 

Sentencing set for Filipina who pleaded guilty to 20 of 21 thefts

 

The thefts took place in one of the flats here (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina who is now unemployed was convicted in 20 of 21 theft charges filed against her by police after she pleaded guilty today at Eastern Court.

Elizabeth Tsai, 46 years old, was saved from the first charge of theft -- in which she was alleged to have stolen two diamond rings, 17 rings, one silver bracelet and $14,000 in cash from three women in a flat in Honor Villa on Caine Road between March 1 and July 30 last year – after prosecutors withdrew it.

After she pleaded guilty to the 20 other thefts, Acting Principal Magistrate David Cheung scheduled her sentencing for June 4 and remanded her in jail custody.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The first two thefts she admitted involved a ring taken on May 11, 2024 and a ring taken on May 13, 2024.

This was followed by the theft of one necklace on June 11, 2024 and another ring 13 days later. These constitute the third and fourth charges.

Tsai admitted stealing another ring on July 9, 2024, one necklace and one pair of earrings four days later, one necklace 10 days later, and one necklace 17 days later. These make up the 5th to 8th charge

BASAHIN ANG DETALYE

The 9^th theft charge involved one ring stolen on May 26, 2024

The 10th charge involved one ring stolen on April 9, followed by one ring on May 16 for the 11th charge, one pendant necklace on June 1 for the 12th charge, and one ring on June 18 for the 13th charge.

The 14^th charge accused Tsai of stealing a ring on April 2, 2024, followed by another ring on June 2 (15th charge), a ring 22 days later (16th charge), a ring on July 4, (17th charge) one pair of earrings on July 12, (18th charge) and one ring on July 11. (19th charge)

Basahin ang detalye!

The 20th theft Tsai admitted involved US$4 stolen between March 1 and July 30 last year.

Another OWWA official sacked over P1.4B land deal

 

Sinclair (middle) with the late Secretary Susan Ople,
and then Undersecretaries Hans Cacdac,Antonette Allones and PY Caunan

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration deputy director Emma Sinclair has also been removed from office because of her involvement in the allegedly anomalous purchase of a P1.4 billion parcel of land using the agency’s funds.

Malacanang press officer Claire Castro made the announcement at a press briefing Wednesday afternoon, saying Sinclair was removed due to loss of trust and confidence.

Sinclair’s removal followed that of former OWWA administrator Arnell Ignacio, who was alleged to have entered into the anomalous land deal without obtaining prior approval from the OWWA board of trustees, which is required by law.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Castro said that their removal should serve as a warning to other public servants to do their jobs with professionalism, honesty, and integrity.

“Tanggalin ang panloloko o lokohan sa inyong pagtatrabaho,” Castro stressed. “Dahil hindi po mangingimi ang Pangulong tanggalin kayo sa pwesto. You will all be fired, kapag hindi ninyo tinupad ang inyong mga obligasyon sa bayan.”

(Do not cheat or fool around while at work because the President will not hesitate to remove you from your post. You will all be fired if you do not perform your duty to the country).

Castro said Sinclair's sacking should serve as warning to other public servants

She also emphasized that both officials were removed and did not resign, in apparent reference to a statement purportedly made by Ignacio that he resigned because of work-related stress.

''Maliban po diyan, mayroon pa pong isa na makakasama, ang deputy [administrator] na si Emma Sinclair, pareho po silang tinanggal. Hindi po sila pinag resign,'' Castro said.

(Apart from Ignacio, there is another one who was also removed, Deputy Administrator Emma Sinclair. Both were fired, they were not asked to resign.)

BASAHIN ANG DETALYE

A letter sent to Malacanang, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Department of Justice by “concerned OWWA employees” alleged that Ignacio and Sinclair acted together in buying the “worthless” piece of land.

Subsequent reports said the land which is located beside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport was meant to be site of a half-way house for overseas Filipino workers. However, the whistleblowers said the land was unsuitable for the purpose because it adjoins the airport’s runway.

They also claimed that the two officials and the seller, a Mr Medina, colluded in not paying the right tax for the property, allowing them to collect the Php86-million difference. A further sum of Php70 million in “broker’s fee” was also unaccounted for.

Basahin ang detalye!

Aside from these, the letter-writers questioned the suspicious “refund” of Php36 million made to the seller in a side contract, as well as rental payments from the commercial establishments on the land from the time the title to the property was registered in the Philippine government’s name in November last year.

Last week, Malacanang announced Ignacio’s removal and his immediate replacement by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan as OWWA administrator.