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| Shatin Magistrates Court |
Two Filipinas charged by the Immigration Department with breaching their condition of stay after they were arrested for illegal work in a Tai Po restaurant, were acquitted on the first day of their trial on Tuesday at Shatin Court.
Deputy Magistrate Chan Yip-hei pointed to errors by
Immigration officers in arresting Katherine Mae Barroa, 33 years old, and
Remedios Banac, aged 52, as reasons for the acquittal in the middle of the
trial.
Three Immigration officers testified for the prosecution, but
the defense lawyer pointed out that the case document was completed only eight
months after the arrests, that the two defendants were not properly advised of
their rights, and no Tagalog interpreter was present during the arrests.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
With Magistrate Chan’s decision, the second day of hearing was cancelled.
Both Barroa and Banac were charged with breach of condition
of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, and by virtue of
Regulation 2 of the Immigration Regulations, after they were arrested on Nov. 9,
2025.
Barroa was charged with performing “odd job duties at No.76
Lo Tsz Tin Village, Ting Kok, Tai Po, other than approved by the Director of
Immigration,” while holding a domestic helper’s visa to work for Leung Ka Ling at
his address, the charge sheet issued by the Immigration Department said.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
The visa was granted to her by an immigration assistant on March
18, 2024.
Banac was accused of working at the same Tai Po restaurant, contravening
her condition of stay imposed by an immigration assistant on January 25, 2025, which
permitted her to remain in Hong Kong for employment as a domestic helper for Ronald
Lam Siu Por at his specified address.
