Filipino held for allegedly luring 5 men to scam hubs

 

The 5 victims were told they would fly to HK en route to their jobs in Vietnam (file)

Five Filipinos about to be sent to scam hubs in Cambodia were rescued by combined forces of the Bureau of Immigration, NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking, and the National Bureau of Investigation earlier this month.

Arrested for large-scale illegal recruitment was Arturo G. Zoilo, Jr. who allegedly promised to secure jobs for the victims in Vietnam, but told them they would have to go through Hong Kong first.

DETAILS HERE

The would-be overseas Filipino workers were promised jobs as customer service representative or sales marketing officer, for which they would be paid between Php30,000 and Php40,000 each month.

In truth, the five rescued Filipinos were meant to work in an online fraud operation in  Cambodia.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac talks to Myanmar scam victims

Just a fortnight ago, a total of 346 Filipinos were rescued from scam hubs in Myanmar and brought home. The workers said they were promised high-paying jobs and forced to engage in online fraud for fear of punishment. They are currently undergoing psychosocial counseling, medical check-up and legal interviews.

The press statement about the rescue was posted on the Facebook page of the DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program, but the details of the arrest were not disclosed.

Basahin ang detalye!

The statement also said investigations had shown that Zoilo used to work in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator or POGO. His previous employer, an Indonesian who went by the alias “Sate”, had reportedly told him to recruit workers for Cambodia, and help work on their papers.

Zoilo now faces charges of large-scale illegal recruitment and qualified human trafficking,which are both non-bailable, and carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Authorities say they are still on the lookout for a key participant in the illegal recruitment, and are investigating the extent of their network.

They are calling on all those who have  been victimized  by Zoilo or Sate to immediately contact the Migrant Workers Bureau of the DMW through the  MWPB Facebook page https://web.facebook.com/dmwairtip

 

Ancient Egyptian treasures on display in HK from tomorrow

 

This huge statue of the pharaoh Tutankhamun is the centerpiece of the exhibit

An extraordinary collection of 250 precious artefacts from Egypt, including statues of pharaohs and deities, gold ornaments, large coffins and animal mummies, will go on display in Hong Kong starting tomorrow, Nov 20, at the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

The exhibit, Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums features the largest, most comprehensive and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian treasures in Hong Kong.

DETAILS HERE

Its centerpiece is a towering statue of Tutankhamun, the 13^th pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, who became famous in modern times after his nearly intact tomb containing an extraordinary collection of over 5,000 artifacts including his mummy and funeral mask, was discovered in 2022.

The exhibition opening is a prelude to the 70^th anniversary next year of the start of diplomatic ties between China and Egypt.

Mummified animals are part of the exhibit

The objects on display come from seven prominent museums in Egypt, including the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art, as well as recent archaeological discoveries from Saqqara.

All artefacts are displayed in Hong Kong for the first time, and many are exhibited outside Egypt for the first time, making the exhibition especially significant.

Basahin ang detalye!

As part of the unveiling of the exhibition, the Hong Kong Palace Museum will host a special Egyptian dance performance on Nov. 22, as part of the HKPM Showtime!

The museum will also support the 8^th Hong Kong International Egyptian Dance Festival, which will also feature dance workshops, performances, competitions and presentations on global dance research.

A regular adult ticket to the Ancient Egypt exhibit costs $190 each and concessions at $95 each.

Below are the details of the exhibition, including dates and times:

Exhibition Date

20 November 2025 – 31 August 2026

Opening hours:

10am to 6pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday;
10am to 8pm, Friday, Saturday & Public Holiday;
Closed on Tuesday (except public holiday) and the first two days of the Lunar New Year

Venue: Gallery 9, Hong Kong Palace Museum at West Kowloon Cultural District

Enquiry:  +852 2200 0217

Website: www.hkpm.org.hk/en/exhibition/ancient-egypt-unveiled-treasures-from-egyptian-museums

INC rally for ‘transparency’ draws up to 650k people

 

Estimates put the number of people at the peak of the INC rally at 650,000

The three-day rally for transparency and accountability called by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) remained strong on its second day today, Monday, with an estimated 600,000 people remaining at the Luneta Park venue.

The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office estimated the crowd at the Quirino Grandstand to have swelled to 650,000 at its peak on Sunday.

But contrary to speculations, the INC rally did not call for the resignation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., but merely reiterated a demand for transparency in government and accountability for all those implicated in the multi-billion peso corruption scandal in public works.

DETAILS HERE

INC general evangelist Bienvenido Santiago, Jr. who spoke first at the Sunday rally, clarified that they are against any extra-legal means to address the corruption scandal. He openly rejected speculations that the church had organized the rally to call for the overthrow of the Marcos administration.

“Basta ‘yung hakbang magbubunga ng karahasan at kaguluhan, hindi tayo sang-ayon diyan. Ang gusto natin, lahat ng solusyon, lahat ng hakbang, dapat sumunod sa paraang legal at payapa,” Santiago said.

Basahin ang detalye!

(Any steps that would lead to violence or chaos we do not condone. What we are after are solutions and steps that will conform to law and order).

It was clear, though, that the church was not siding with Marcos, either, with leaders emphasizing that they are after the preservation of the government as an institution, and not the person who currently leads it.

Imee vans distributed water and buns to rally participants

It was also clear to observers that the rally was closely aligned with anti-Marcos groups. Senator Imee Marcos, who has been at odds with President Marcos, distributed bottled water and nutribuns during the rally, and during her speech on Monday, shocked many by saying her brother as well as his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their sons are drug addicts.

Former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, who has repeatedly expressed his disaffection with President Marcos in public, distributed free porridge to participants.

Non-INC observers also noticed that the anti-Marcos sentiment was evident among those who were at the rally, similar to an earlier mobilization they had on January 13 this year when they condemned moves to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.

What could not be denied was that ahead of the mass rally, former Ako Bicol representative and former chair of the House appropriations committee Zaldy Co released a series of videos claiming House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Marcos to the flood control corruption mess.

Groups calling for Marcos to resign led by retired generals also held a simultaneous rally at the People Power Monument in Quezon City. However, instead of around 300,000 people that were expected to show up on Sunday, only 4,000 actually came, and by Monday, the crowd was even sparser.

But the unease appeared to have had an effect on the President. On the second day of the INC rally, the Palace announced the resignation of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who were both linked to the growing scandal. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto was immediately named to take over Bersamin’s post, while his own post was given to Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go.

 

PCG to host legal clinic on HK and PHL laws on Nov 30

 

OFW single parents listen to a talk on their rights at PCG in earlier session (File) 

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Manila II Chapter and Pro Bono Hong Kong will conduct a free legal clinic on the laws of the Philippines and Hong Kong on Sunday, Nov. 30, at the OFW Global Centre on the 18^th floor of United Centre in Admiralty.

The free legal consultations are part of a regular program organized by the Philippine Consulate General to provide easy access to help for Filipinos who are confronted with any legal concerns either in the Philippines or Hong Kong. 

The topics that are often raised range from marital and property rights in the Philippines, to employment rights and benefits in Hong Kong.

Basahin ang detalye!

IBP Manila will provide free legal consultation on the laws of the Philippines through the program titled “Alay Kagitingan: Serbisyong Legal para sa mga Bayani ng Panahon” while Pro-Bono HK will respond to concerns about Hong Kong laws under the “Idulog Mo Kay Atorni: Access to Justice.”

This is one of the rare opportunities for Filipinos in Hong Kong, particularly the migrant domestic workers, to bring directly to the table their questions and concerns about the laws in either territory.

The one-on-one consultations will be held on site for the first 40 clients who have pre-registered for the event no later than November 27. 

To register for the IBP consultations: click on this link:

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSc1W.../viewform or scan the QR code in the flyer below:

Those who wish to consult on HK laws with Pro Bono should register through this link:

https://forms.gle/QJWqJjkuPgtbd62B8 or click on the QR code in the poster below

Only pre-registered clients will be allowed access to the free one-on-one consultations

 

Eala bows out of HK Tennis Open

 

Alex Eala congratulates Victoria Mboko after their game

Alex Eala bowed out of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open tonight at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, after a hard-fought match with Canadian Victoria Mboko, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The match was not decided until the last set, in which Eala led initially at 4-1, before the third-seed Mboko fired serves at up to 180 kilometers per hour to level up and wrap up the game. 

No point in the game was more bitterly fought than the second point in the last set, where they had to fight through eight deuces, before Mboko committed a double fault with Eala on advantage and ended up trailing, 2-0.

Basahin ang detalye!

Mboko, who at 19 is already ranked 21 in the Women’s Tennis Association roll of players against 20-year-old Eala’s 51, said in a post-game on-court interview: “I had to fight for every point.”

Interviewed later, Mboko added: “It was a difficut match. She was a great player.” 

She acknowledged turning to her coach every now and then for comfort during the tough parts of the match, made more stressful by the boisterous support given to Eala by the predominantly Filipino audience but said she took no offence for that.

She also said it was difficult beating a friend, disclosing that she and Eala would sometimes go out together during tournaments, for something as simple as buying bubble iced tea.

Mboko now advances to the quarterfinals where she will face Anna Kalinskaya of Russia, who beat Zhang Shuai of China, 6-1, 6-1.

For her part, Eala said, “I’m happy with how I performed. I gave her a run for her money.” 

Again, she thanked all the Filipinos who showed her love and support during her games, and said she is happy and proud of what she has achieved in the sport in the past few months.

"Having put up such a good performance, I was just overwhelmed with emotions, happiness and gratitude for everything that's happened to me this year," she said.

Eala said she it is too early to say if she would be back in Hong Kong next year, but she has enjoyed her stay here because everyone has been welcoming, not just the Filipinos but also the locals.

Student, 16, sent to District Court for child rape, pornography

 

The case will now be heard at District Court

A 16-year-old Filipino student charged before the Eastern Court with unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and possession of child pornography will answer those charges before the District Court starting Oct. 28.

Principal Magistrate David Cheung told Liam Urtula he was elevating the case and advised him that he had the right to seek bail and was entitled to apply for a free defense lawyer from Legal Aid.

Pindutin para sa detalye

Urtula is accused of raping an 11-year-old girl inside a flat on 44-46 Bonham Road in Sheung Wan last Feb. 14, for which he was charged with “unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 years,” in violation of section 123 of the Crimes Ordinance.

That ordinance states: “A man who has unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life.”

Basahin ang detalye!

He was also charged with violating section 3(3) of the Prevention of Child Pornography Ordinance after 13 photographs containing child pornography was found stored in his mobile phone between Feb. 8 and March 28 this year.

Under this ordinance, possession of any child pornography is punishable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $1,000,000 and imprisonment for five years or, on summary conviction, to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.

HK to test for more cancers

Lo says the new screenings will be for lung, liver and cervical cancers

Hong Kong’s plan to roll out more screening schemes for cancer will target lung, liver and cervical cancers, Secretary for Health Lo Chung Mau said Sunday.

These are on top of the screening programs already in place for colorectal cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer.

Lo told reporters after a radio interview that cancer is the number one killer in Hong Kong, claiming the lives of 15,000 people year, so early diagnosis is important.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

He said artificial intelligence or AI will be used for the screening of lung cancer, which afflicts the most number of people in Hong Kong.

A local university will be tapped to conduct the AI-aided screening, which will target individuals with a history of lung cancer in the family. The program is expected to start early next year.

As for liver cancer, he said the government will look for possible carriers of hepatitis B, which is the cause of 80% of all liver cancers.

Basahin ang detalye!

To do this, the government will incorporate the testing in its Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme, which is at present targeting patients with high blood pressure, blood sugar or cholesterol level.

As with the existing scheme, he said, “the percentage of subsidy and co-care will be roughly in half-half.”

He said the liver cancer screening will be rolled out in phases and will initially target high-risk individuals, including those born before 1988 and did not receive the universal hepatitis B vaccination, as well as family members of the virus carriers.

“We estimate there will still be roughly over 400,000 chronic hepatitis B carriers, and 40 percent of them…don’t know that they are carriers themselves,” said Lo.

“The most common …among those are the family members, so these are the targets we are looking at, and that will be the program we are rolling out.”

He said there are roughly 700,000 family members of chronic hepatitis B carriers and about 40 percent of them, or 300,000 are eligible for screening.

The last scheme will involve testing for the human papillomavirus or HPV, which almost always causes cervical cancer.

Currently, cervical cancer screenings are provided at maternal and child care centers and clinics run by non-government organizations, which charge a nominal fee.

Women aged 25 to 65 who have had sex are urged to do the test annually, as they are the most vulnerable to HPV infection.

 

Signal No 8 to remain until 8pm at least

 

Water barriers set up near the Lei Yue Mun pier (HK Free Press photo)

The Hong Kong Observatory has lowered Hurricane Signal No 10 to 8 at 1:20pm today, Wednesday, as Super Typhoon Ragasa spared the city from a direct hit, passing 120km around the south of Hong Kong earlier this morning. 

However, forecasters warned the public to remain alert, saying strong winds are still affecting many places of the territory. 

They also said the T8 signal will remain in place until 8pm tonight, and depending on how local winds weaken in the next few hours, it will be lowered to T3, which means all public transportation will resume service.

Basahin ang detalye!

Ragasa brought with it wind gusts exceeding 200 km per hour to some exposed and offshore areas, but the bigger part of the city only experienced around 100 km/hr winds. 

Despite warnings that Ragasa was stronger than Super Typhoon Mangkhut which wreaked extensive havoc in Hong Kong in 2018, the number of fallen trees this time appeared smaller, and reports of flooding and landslide were far lower. 

As of noon today, authorities received 437 reports of fallen trees while 15 reports of flooding, and one of landslide were recorded at 1pm.

A total of 62 people had sought treatment at public hospitals for various injuries as of noon.

This was despite photos and videos on social media showing major storm surges in coastal areas, including Victoria Harbour, Tai Po Kau and Tsim Bei Tsui where water levels rose up to 3.8 meters.

Man looks helplessly as waves crashed through the glass doors of Ocean Park Fullerton

A video that has gone viral showed waves crashing through the glass door of The Ocean Park Fullerton Hotel beside Ocean Park in Aberdeen, and a man in the lobby being washed away by the floodwaters.

However, the hotel later said no one was injured in the incident, and that it has immediately deployed additional staff to clean up the debris brought by the floodwaters. It has also assured that all its guests are safe and comfortable.

Ragasa caused the T10 signal to remain hoisted for 10 hours and 40 minutes, just 20 minutes shorter than the longest T10 ever raised for Typhoon York in 1999.

The super typhoon caused T8 to be raised at 2:20pm yesterday, then elevated to T9 at 2:20am today, before being raised further to T10 at 3:20am.

 

 

ICC charges Duterte with 3 counts of crimes against humanity

Duterte at his first appearance at ICC in The Hague

Former Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte has been charged with crimes against humanity for the dozens of murders that allegedly took place as part of his so-called war on drugs, launched between 2016 and 2018; and earlier killings while he was mayor of Davao City.

The 80-year-old who is detained at the ICC jail at The Hague, faces three charges: the first over his alleged involvement in the killings of 19 people between 2013 and 2016, while he was mayor of Davao City; the second involves 14 victims of targeted killings from 2016 to 2017; and the third, for the 43 people who died during so-called clearance operations between 2016 and 2018.

The ICC's charge sheet, which includes several redactions, dates from July but was only made public on Monday.

Basahin ang detalye!

Duterte is the first Asian head of state to be indicted by the ICC. He was flown in March to the The Hague in the Netherlands where the court is based, and has been detained there since.

Recently, his lawyers asked that Duterte not be indicted, citing his supposed poor mental state.

ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said Duterte was an "indirect co-perpetrator" in the killings, which were allegedly carried out by others, including police, on his orders.

Prosecutors alleged how Duterte and his co-perpetrators "shared a common plan or agreement to 'neutralise' alleged criminals in the Philippines (including those perceived or alleged to be associated with drug use, sale or production) through violent crimes including murder".

The former leader who was called “The Punisher” during his term, has offered no apologies for the brutal “tokhang” killings of supposed drug addicts and pushers. Official figures put the number of victims to more than 6,000 but human rights activists say it could actually run in the tens of thousands.

Duterte said his anti-drugs crackdown was necessary to rid the country of street crimes, but critics saw it as his way of instilling fear and solidifying support for him and his allies.

Despite his detention, Duterte was again elected mayor of  Davao City in 2022. His youngest son, Sebastian Duterte has served as mayor in his stead.

 

Pinoy student to face rape, child-porn cases in DC

The rape allegedly took place in one of these buildings (Google Maps photo)

A case against a 16-year-old Filipino student accused of rape and publishing child pornography before the Eastern Court, was adjourned today prior to its elevation to the District Court.

Prosecutors asked for the adjournment of the case against L. U. for the preparation of transfer papers. Principal Magistrate David Cheung granted the request by scheduling a new hearing for Oct. 14.

The student is accused of raping X last Feb. 14 inside the Bonham Commercial Center in Sheung Wan, in violation of section 118(1) of the Crimes Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

A second charge accuses him of publishing eight nude photo of X between Feb. 7 and March 21 this year, in violation of section 3(2) of the Prevention of Child Pornography Ordinance.

Hong Kong magistrate courts normally elevate rape cases to a higher court as these are beyond the magistrate's sentencing power.

 

Free tram and ferry rides, other treats on China’s National Day

 

Free tram sides are given as treats to the public on many significant occasions

A series of special offers, including free rides on all tram routes and several on ferries, will be made available to the public on October 1, in celebration of the 76^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s  Republic of China.

The MTR will give away 76,000 single journey e-tickets to the public through a lucky draw on the same day, while children can ride most bus routes of KMB, Long Win Bus, Citybus and New Lantao Bus for free.

All commercial cinemas will also provide tickets to movies at half the price, while all sports venues and museums run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will offer free admission. Everyone can also enter the Hong Kong Wetland Park for free.

Basahin ang detalye!

Free guided tours and dining, consumption and accommodation offers currently provided by the Revitalising Historic Building through Partnership Scheme will be expanded from mid-September until late October as part of the celebration.

Joining in the fun are more than 1,000 restaurants and merchants that will provide discounted meals, while several public markets will also roll out different offers. Shoppers at the “Local Fresh” stores, whether virtual, physical or mobile app, will also get a 24% discount on selected products.

Ngong Ping 360 and Ocean Park, two of Hong Kong’s top tourist attractions, will offer ticket discounts, while Tai Kwun, the Peak Tram and Madame Tussauds will give out souvenirs to patrons.

The West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong Jockey Club and HK Trade Development Council as well as over 100 shopping malls and department stores will roll out shopping, dining or parking offers.

More freebies and other special treats from some government departments and organizations will be announced in due course.

To get information about the offers and special activities, check out the dedicated website, www.nationalday76.gov.hk.

 

 

 

 

Cinta-J to close down after 42 years

 

Allen Lee (in black) join his golfing buddies including ex-Labatt Bernie Julve
 (in green at back) for a final photo at Cinta-J

It was a night that recalled the happy times of the 80s and the 90s when Wan Chai was the place to be for late-night dining and drinking in Hong Kong, and Cinta-J restaurant and bar was where most Filipinos ended up in, for a taste of comfort food from back home and singers who obliged their penchant for karaoke and dancing.

After 42 years being at the center of fun and entertainment for most Filipinos in Hong Kong, Cinta-J at no 69 Jaffe Road (which explains the J in its name) is closing down at the end of the month.

On that particular Wednesday night, Sept. 3, many of its old customers who gathered there to party ended up getting nostalgic, as they realized that it could be the last time they would be spending their happy hours there.

Basahin ang detalye!

Among those who said goodbye to their favorite watering hole was former Labor Attache to Hong Kong Bernie Julve and his golfing and drinking buddies who used to gather at Cinta-J before, or after, a golf game.  They all realized going out on golf trips would not be as fun without their favorite pit-stop.

In another part of the restaurant, a group of longtime residents celebrated a birthday, and as before, spent the rest of the night dancing and singing with the in-house band. There could never be another place where they could let their hair down, and feel right at home.

Allen Lee with his son Bryan and daughter-in-law Cris

Cinta-J’s founder and owner, 83-year-old Allen Lee, said the Malaysian Consulate building where his resto-bar is housed has been sold, and given the current tepid catering industry and high property prices, it would not be prudent to continue operating it.

But his son Bryan and daughter-in-law Cris who have been running the place for the past several years remain upbeat, saying they are still hoping to find a new place where they can carry on the business.

Many longtime customers of Cinta-J would likely welcome a reopening, but Cinta away from Jaffe Road - - where they had the most fun eating Filipino or Indonesian food dancing and singing to their hearts’ content - would never be the same.

At its heyday, when Hong Kong was the favorite place for R&R by seafarers from all over the world, Cinta-J was often packed and pulsating. It could either be fun or rowdy, or both, but always with the best music in town.

A visit to Cinta-J is never complete without the singing & dancing

The all-night partying started to slow down about 10 years ago when China started rejecting berthing requests from ships, particularly those from the US navy, amid rising political tension.

Cinta-J managed to pull through, only to suffer another setback when massive anti-government protests erupted across Hong Kong from 2018 to 2019, with Wan Chai becoming one of the flash points.

Just as things were starting to quiet down, the Covid-19 pandemic happened, and the catering sector once more took a direct hit. Cinta-J, along with several bars on Jaffe, were among the worst hit. (See report here: https://www.sunwebhk.com/search?q=Cinta+J)

Getting back up from all those whammies have been difficult, but losing the place it has called home for decades was what hastened the Lees’ decision to shut down the business they nurtured for so long, for good.

Poster for the final group farewell to Cinta-J organized by the UPAA-HK

As a tribute to those happy times, a group of Filipino residents led by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association is preparing to hold a final farewell to Cinta-J on September 24, six days before it is finally shuttered.

Special guest for the evening will be Cinta-J’s most beloved singer Nicky Flores, who will be taking to the stage again together with his wife and former singing partner, Merly. Surprise numbers will also be presented.

To book a ticket, please see the poster above or call Cath at 9536 0166