Indonesian helper arrested for murder after death of 93-year-old ward

 

Entrance to Tak Long Estate (Google photo)

Hong Kong police have arrested an Indonesian domestic helper suspected of killing her 93-year-old employer after video footage emerged of the helper repeatedly assaulting the elderly woman minutes before her death.

Police said in a press briefing that the elderly woman who was widowed and childless, was found unconscious Sunday morning in her one-room flat in Long Yiu House at Tak Long Estate in Ngau Tau Kok.

The 52-year-old helper hired more than three years ago to provide round-the-clock care to the woman had sought help from the building security staff at about 8:20am that day, saying her employer was unresponsive.

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Paramedics who were called to the flat performed emergency treatment on the woman at the scene, before rushing her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead at 9:12am.

The death initially did not raise an alarm as no obvious fatal injuries were found on the woman, and there were no signs of a struggle or ransacking of the flat.

But police said that a random check by the woman’s relatives of the CCTV installed in the flat showed the helper repeatedly assaulting the woman between 8:03am and 8:10am on Sunday.

The suspect allegedly hit the woman by hand about 20 times on the head, face and neck. She was also seen stepping on the woman’s abdomen while handling her body in a rough and violent manner.

Shortly after the last assault, the woman was seen lying motionless on her bed.

Police arrested the helper at about 3:50am earlier today, Monday, on suspicion of murder.

A preliminary examination by a forensic pathologist reportedly showed bruises on the woman’s chest, lower and right side of the abdomen and right jaw, as well as cuts on the left side of her neck.

The exact cause of death is expected to be established following an autopsy and further forensic tests.

Older footage from the security camera reportedly showed the helper assaulting the woman daily over the past two weeks.

“Footage gathered by police shows that there were intermittent minor assaults daily in the past half a month or so,” said a police officer at the briefing.

The police said a friction had developed between the helper and her bedridden employer over time due to overwork.

The Social Welfare Department reportedly made regular visits to the deceased, and individual relatives visited about once a month.

According to the police the woman’s husband died more than three decades ago due to an illness. She was herself diagnosed with colorectal cancer 17 years ago, and about two years ago, suffered a stroke.

In addition, she had a history of chronic illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, requiring long-term medication and regular medical check-ups.

Relatives arranged to hire the helper to care for her starting in January 2023.

The District Crime Squad of Sau Mau Ping District is investigating the case. Anyone who has any information to offer in relation the incident is urged to contact the investigating officers at telephone number 3661 6236.

 

Filipina DH accused of forging air ticket receipt

 

Kowloon City Court

A Filipina domestic helper appeared in Kowloon City Court on Thursday, charged with forging a flight ticket receipt with intent to defraud a local resident, Li Ka Yee Carri.

Reschel Ann A. Ojano, 37 years old, has been detained after the alleged offence on Sept 23, 2026.

DETAILS HERE

Ojano is charged with taking a screen capture of the ticket receipt, and then presenting it to Li, with the intention of inducing her to accept it as a genuine.

In the process, Ojano was said to have caused prejudice to Li.

Basahin ang detalye!

No details were revealed in court, but Ojano was asked if she intended to apply for bail. When she said no, Deputy Principal Magistrate ordered her returned to custody until the next hearing of the case on November 11 for mention.

Pinay who mistakenly texted employer about theft jailed 10 months

 

The theft took place in one of the flats in Laguna Verde (Google Maps photo)

A domestic helper who mistakenly sent a text message to her employer confessing that she stole $110,500 worth of the latter’s jewelry and cash, was jailed for 10 months on Thursday after she pleaded guilty to theft at Kowloon City Court.

According to the case brief read out in court, 37-year-old Ciavy Jean Daniega had meant to send the text message to a friend, but instead passed it on her employer, who called the police.

In sentencing, Acting Principal Magistrate Cheng Lim-chi told Deniega that what she had done was serious as it involved a breach of trust, and the amount involved was substantial. He set a starting point of one year and three months' jail in sentencing, but reduced it by one third because of the  guilty plea.

Deniega was charged with violating section 9 of the Theft Ordinance by stealing five gold pellets, two gold bracelets, four necklaces, one gold necklace, one gold ring, and cash of $10,200, with a total value of $110,500, from her employer, Shelby Lily Yu. 

DETAILS HERE

The theft took place between April 4 and June 3, 2026, in the employer’s flat at Tower 11, Laguna Verde, 8 Laguna Verde Avenue, Hung Hom, Kowloon. Deniega had been working for the employer for just over a year at the time.

According to the case brief, the jewels were kept inside a drawer and a bookshelf which were both unlocked, inside the flat's master bedroom.

After her employer called the police, four pawnshop receipts and the boxes that held the jewelry were found inside the helper's room.

The employer, through her lawyer, asked the court for a return of the HK$10,200 cash that was stolen along with the jewelry, but the defense lawyer said Deniega did not have the money to pay.

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In mitigation, her lawyer said financial pressures, such as finding money for medical expenses for her sick elderly mother and a son who has urinary tract infection, forced her to steal. Paying off loans meant she could send only half her salary each month to her family.

The lawyer asked for a lenient sentence, saying Deniega wants to go back home as soon as possible to reunite with her ailing mother and son.

Deniega arrived in Hong Kong in 2015.

Filipina in Cheung Sha Wan raid charged with drug trafficking

 

Police lead the suspect away from the Cheung Sha Wan flat (Photo by The Standard)

A 38-year-old Filipina appeared in Kowloon City court today, charged with drug trafficking, after suspected methamphetamine (or ice) and heroin weighing more than 2 kilos were reportedly found in her handbag and in a flat she was renting in Cheung Sha Wan.

Wilma P. Hubid, who holds a Hong Kong ID card and is unemployed, was arrested on Tuesday night by police who allegedly found drugs in a subdivided flat she was renting at 137 Un Chau Street.

The charge sheet filed in court today did not specify the kind and quantity of the drugs found seized from the defendant.

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However, news reports earlier said the Filipina was stopped outside the flat by police officers, who then found about 60 grams of suspected cocaine and 267 grams of ice in her handbag.

A search of the flat which police suspect was used as a drug packaging hub reportedly yielded an additional 1.17 kilos of suspected ice, 746 grams of suspected cocaine, 176 grams of suspected crack cocaine, and packaging tools including an electronic scale and a large number of resealable plastic bags.

Police estimated the value of the seized drugs at HK$1.42 million.

In court, Hubid was asked if she could understand the proceedings which were being conducted in English as no Tagalog interpreter was around, and she answered in the affirmative.

She also told the court that she will be represented by counsel at her next court appearance.

Magistrate Cheng Lim-chi did not ask her for her plea, and assured her that a Tagalog interpreter will be provided at the next court hearing set for December 31. She was remanded in jail until then.

Drug trafficking is a serious offence in Hong Kong, and carries the maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of HK$5 million.

 

HK gears up for Halloween Fest

 

Perspective drawing of the Halloween installation on Statue Square

Halloween is about to get big in Hong Kong.

Starting on October 17, five tourist spots in the city will be lit up and street parties held, as part of Hong Kong’s bid to become Asia’s premier Halloween destination.

In Central, a giant Halloween-themed installation will be set up on Statue Square starting on October 17, while a music and arts festival will liven up Chater Road from 3pm on October 18. The celebration will culminate with a colourful Halloween party on October 31.

Lan Kwai Fong will always be the go-to place for Halloween

At nearby Lan Kwai Fong, organizers are planning not just one, but three, themed street celebrations with performers, music and photo spots for costumed revellers.

At  Kai Tak Sports Park, there will be three weekends of cosplay activities with Cantopop DJs playing music, and a pet photo area.

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In Mong Kok, there will be a haunted red minibus installation while Tsim Sha Tsui East will have DJ parties and a Halloween market.

Disneyland and Ocean Park started offering Halloween treats and tricks at the start of the month, and will carry this on until Halloween Day.

Perspective of an open-top bus for Halloween Month

There will also be free night rides to passengers in Halloween costumes on open-top buses and party trams.

The open-top bus rides will start operating at 6pm on October 16-17, October 24-25 and October 30-31 - covering two Saturdays, two Sundays, and Halloween Eve and Halloween Day.

Pick-ups will be every 45 minutes at four boarding points: Statue Square in Central, Langham Place in Mong Kok, Kai Tak Sports Park and Tsim Sha Tsui Centre.

The party trams will also operate on the same dates and time along a designated route between Causeway Bay and Western Market in Sheung Wan.

Free ride tickets will be given to passengers who dress in Halloween costumes and spend the minimum amount set by participating merchants.

The tickets can be redeemed on a first-come, first-served basis at designated malls and venues operated by HKTB partners, including Hongkong Land, Kai Tak Sports Park, Langham Place and Sino Group.

Also part of the festival is HKTB’s social media campaign, which will call on the public to post Halloween photos in Hong Kong on Instagram, Weibo, using designated tags and hashtags. Prizes will be given for photos that will be selected.

The Halloween blitz is part of a new tourism strategy announced in February’s budget that will focus on festivals that are less prominent in mainland China, to attract more visitors in the city.

The Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival at Victoria Park which has been extended until today, October 7, is also part of the new tourism thrust.

MWO AKSYON Fund releases in HK hit $4.3million

 by Leo A. Deocadiz 

Labatt Chavez delivering his accomplishment report at the forum

The Migrant Workers Office has released $4.3 million of AKSYON Fund to 661 beneficiaries in Hong Kong in the last nine months, most of them receiving money within an hour of applying, Labor Attache Cesar Chavez Jr. told a community leaders’ forum today.

 “When you ask for help and your supporting documents are complete, the money will be released immediately. You can wait for it. No need to return another day,” he said. “Processing will just take minutes; an hour will be too long,” he said.

MWO continues to process AKSYON Fund (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan), which is designed to provide immediate legal, medical, and emergency financial assistance to distressed or displaced OFWs.

DETAILS HERE

Standard payouts include:

• ₱50,000 for regular distressed employment situations.
• ₱75,000 for workers who become seriously ill or are in warlike zones.
• ₱100,000 in bereavement assistance for the next of kin of deceased workers.
• $200 USD (about ₱12,000) for immediate employment shocks, such as those affected by Middle East tensions.  

Press for details

Part of such assistance is MWO giving lawyers for OFWs facing court charges. At present, 17 cases are pending, one has been dismissed, and four are on trial.

“We are giving lawyers for cases that are in already in court. Those waiting for hearing, we give them retained lawyers or duty lawyers (who are funded by the Hong Kong government),” Chavez said.

This way, he said, they avoid giving lawyers to OFWs who would be pleading guilty anyway; they cost $100,000.

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“We are giving lawyers only to those who want to fight for their rights,” he added.

Chaves also said the MWO has verified 75,552 individual employment contracts during the first nine months of 2026.

A vast majority of these contracts -- 75, 214 -- were for domestic workers. Only 124 contracts were for professional and skilled workers and 214 were for semi-skilled workers.

The MWO is thus adjusting the requirements for employment agencies when it resumes accreditation on Oct. 23, four months after suspending it last June 22.

“We had 814 foreign recruitment agencies in Hong Kong when we issued the moratorium,” he said. “We are planning to resume this coming Oct. 23 but only for applicants who will be hiring skilled workers also. Hindi na pwedeng katulong lang (Hiring only domestic workers will no longer suffice). They should strive to recruit skilled workers.”

Among the accredited agencies, he said, seven have been suspended.

He pointed to one agency whose accreditation has been suspended for refusing to process the subsistence allowance sought by an OFW facing a case in court.

Under Philippine law, OFWs whose mandatory insurance is in force are entitled to US$100 per month for six months while they have a pending case.

Now, he said, the agency owner is trying to seek a meeting with him. “Why talk to me? They should first do their obligation and then we’ll talk,” he said.

Statistics provided by Chavez shows how the Aksyon Fund is disbursed

Chavez also listed other improvements at the MWO, among them:

• Special licensing examinations are being planned for more under-board graduates such as nurses, architects and engineers to enhance their status so they will have better jobs and bigger incomes. Almost 300 passed the last licensure exam for teachers. In the test held recently, “we had 314 who took the exam. We hope for a lot of passers,” he said.
• The online system for Balik Manggagawa makes it easier for OFWs to verify their contracts and avoid problems with Philippine Immigration, which has tightened the screening of people leaving the country because of increasing cases of surrogacy, illegal recruitment and trafficking.
• A new queueing system that will prevent OFWs having to fall in long lines. “Now you only need to get a number, and then you can do your other errands outside the office and return only when your number will soon be called,” he said.
• An investigation is ongoing on a report that several OFWs who entered Hong Kong as domestic workers have been seen working in Wanchai as waitresses. “Be assured that employment agencies that do not folow our regulations will be penalized,” he said.
• MWO renovation will begin shortly at no expense to the government as it will be paid for by  landlord.

New $5220 minimum wage for FDHs generally welcomed

 

Most FDWs are grateful enough that there's a salary increase

Foreign domestic helpers have largely welcomed the new minimum wage of HK$5220 mandated for them by the Hong Kong government with many saying it was “better than nothing.”

Others were thankful, to both the Hong Kong government for keeping up the practice of giving modest increase in their wages; and to fellow migrants who took to the streets to call for higher wages.

Migrants rights advocate Eman Villanueva of Bayan Muna Hong Kong and Macau claimed victory over the decision not to freeze wages, as was the call of a group of employers who warned that there would be “mass terminations” if an increase was ordered.

DETAILS HERE

“Salamat sa mga organisasyon at unyon na nakipaglaban para tumaas ang sahod at hindi matuloy ang wage freeze,” he said in a post.(Thank you to all organizations and unions that fought for a salary increase and against a wage freeze).

But in a press statement issued Saturday, the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body which fought for a “living wage” of HK$6,172, expressed dismay that the new minimum wage is just HK$120 more than last year’s.

AMCB says the fight for 'living wage' will continue

AMCB also decried that no increase in the food allowance -or what is given a migrant worker in lieu of free meals – was mandated.

“Clearly, the Hong Kong government has no intention of meeting our demand for a living wage. While the no increase in food allowance will mean more expenses and loss in the wage of FDWs who are not provided food at their employer’s house,” said AMCB.

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It called on fellow migrant workers to continue the fight for a living wage, and for the longstanding demands of regulation of work hours, suitable accommodation, unconditional long service benefit, and food allowance commensurate to the inflation rate.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister Chris Sun said in an interview that the 2.35 % increase in the minimum wage for FDHs was reasonable, and was based on a comprehensive review of annual economic performance, employers’ income and inflation.

He said that if the economy does well and the overall data are positive, the growth rate typically fluctuates within a range of 2 and 2.5%; thus a salary increase within this range is fair.

HK man jailed for 26 years in Phl on drug charges returns home

 

Tang (in red shirt) is met on his arrival in Hong Kong by his elder brother

A Hong Kong man who spent 26 years in jail in the Philippines after being found guilty of possessing nearly 8 kilos of the drug, “ice”, returned to Hong Kong early on Tuesday, accompanied by Immigration Department officers.

Tang Lung-wai, who is now 55, was met by his elder brother on his arrival from Manila. He was originally sentenced to life imprisonment in the Philippines.

In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post, Tang reportedly said when asked how he felt about being back home, "After spending 26 years in hell, I am unflappable."

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His family had sought help from Hong Kong authorities last month after being told that Tang’s sentence was considered to have been served after taking into consideration a good conduct time allowance. However, he could not be released immediately because of lengthy administrative procedures.

In a press release, the Immigration Department said that on learning that Tang had already completed his sentence, they immediately worked with the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines so he could be issued with the document needed for his release and repatriation.

Immigration officers were also sent to the Philippines to work on the repatriation arrangements and escort Tang back to the Hong Kong. 

Immigration officers accompanied Tang on his flight out of Manila

Philippine court records show that Tang was arrested by Philippine police officers on July 18, 2000, along with fellow Chinese nationals Cheung Tai On and Sek Hung Goh Patrick, during a raid on a condominium unit in Quezon City.

Found inside the unit was methamphetamine hydrochloride (ice or shabu in the Philippines) weighing a total of 7,918.90 grams.

Tang, Cheung ang Goh were subsequently charged with illegal drug possession in violation of Sec. 16, Article III of Republic Act No 6425 (as amended) and were put on trial after they denied the charge.

On Oct. 26, 2011 the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City found Tang and Cheung guilty as charged and sentenced to life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Php500,000. Goh was acquitted for insufficiency of evidence.

The two appealed the decision, but the same was denied by the Court of Appeals on July 14, 2017. Tang’s appeal was dismissed for lack of merit, while Cheung’s was discharged on account of his death.

Tang then went on to lodge an appeal with the Supreme Court, citing alleged errors of facts and of law committed by the RTC and the CA. He claimed he had been framed, and was taken to the condominium unit after being arrested elsewhere.

Immigration officers set up a chat with Tang's family before his return 

But in a judgment handed down on Nov 17, 2019, the Supreme Court upheld the earlier decisions, saying that the considerable quantity of the drugs seized rendered Tang’s claim that they had been planted to frame him “difficult to believe.”

In the absence of strong and convincing evidence to the contrary, “the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duty and the principle that the findings of the trial court on the credibility of witnesses are entitled to great respect (and) should prevail over bare denials and self-serving claims,” said the SC.

The SC ordered the appellant to pay costs as a result of the dismissal.

(The full decision by the Philippine Supreme Court on the appeal can be found here:  https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/66124)

Longtime Bayanihan admin Tess Ubamos passes on at 66

 

Hong Kong Bayanihan Center’s longtime administrator, Teresita “Tess” Ibañez-Ubamos, passed on after a lingering illness on September 25. She would have turned 67 on October 3 this year.

She is survived by her husband Ed, children Odessa, Rocky and Michael, and granddaughters Kisha and Kaitlyn.

Tess, as she was known to many, had managed the day-to-day operations of the Bayanihan Center in Kennedy Town since 2004, when it became the site for the first overseas voting for Filipinos in Hong Kong.

DETAILS HERE

She continued overseeing the massive operations involved in administering the manual casting and counting of ballots for the overseas vote every three years, until the switch to automated voting in 2022.

In her role as administrator of the six-floor Bayanihan Center, Tess became fast friends with many Filipino community leaders, as well as the hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who have done volunteer work, or have taken part in various events at the activities and training hub over the years.

Press for details

Officers of the Philippine Consulate and its attached agencies have also heaped praises on her, for having ably managed the center through more than two decades and thousands of events and training activities, despite its tight budget.

The Ubamos family at Bayanihan Center

Among the first to extend their condolences was the Bootstrap Theatre Hong Kong, which paid tribute to Tess’ generosity in providing them a venue for their rehearsals for their debut play last year, and for an intensive acting workshop they provided to OFWs.

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association Hong Kong, which has held some of its activities at the center, including the grand oath taking of its officers in March last year, has also expressed regret.

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“Tess was a true pillar of our community, a dedicated leader, and a wonderful friend who touched so many of our lives with her kindness and warmth,” said UPAA-HK’s president, Catherine Marsden.

Longtime residents who, like Tess and her family, have played an active role in the various activities of the Filipino Catholic community in Hong Kong, have also expressed sadness at her passing.

In an emotional Facebook post addressed to the Ubamos family, tech executive Jun Sison said, “We would like to embrace and comfort you - all of you - at this very moment, but we do understand that, for now, we can only offer prayers, yes - tears of empathy, and words of consolation hoping our deep sentiments, thoughts and words may even ever so slightly ease the pain you now feel in your hearts.”

Details of the funeral service for Tess have yet to be announced.

Special traffic arrangements announced for Mid-Autumn Festival

 

Colorful lanterns at Victoria Park are expected to draw in crowds (Brand Hong Kong)

The MTR will step up its services from 3pm on Friday, the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, until the early hours of the next day – a statutory holiday -  to accommodate the thousands of people expected to travel around to join various festive activities across the city.

The only exception to this are the Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line and the East Rail Line to and from Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau, which will be operated normally.

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At the same time, 11 Light Rail routes, three MTR bus routes and nine green minibus routes will operate on extended hours until early on September 26.

Four special bus routes (route Nos. 71P, N64P, N272 and 173R) will also be operated while public bus companies will extend the service hours of six bus routes and adjust the frequency/departure time of some routes.

Services provided by HK Tramways,  Star Ferry, Sun Ferry and Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry will be adjusted based on passenger demand.

The Tai Hang Dragon Dance will be staged at night from Friday to Sunday 

Meanwhile, road closure and traffic diversion will be implement in the vicinity of Tai Hang from Wednesday to Saturday to facilitate the holding of the traditional Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.

Similar traffic arrangements will affect various parts of Hong Kong island (including Causeway Bay, The Peak, Aberdeen, Pok Fu Lam, Repulse Gay and Shek O), and parts of the New Territories (including Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan and Ma On Shan) on September 25 and 26. Some parking spaces, taxi and light bus stations in the named areas will also be suspended.

Traffic is expected to be heavy in the vicinity of Tai Hang and Victoria Park in Causeway Bay where the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival is being held until Sunday, September 27.

Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai is another crowd-drawer (Photo by Annabelle Maregmen)

On Saturday, thousands of people, including migrant domestic workers, are expected to pour out onto the streets as it is a statutory holiday.

Everyone is enjoined to use public transport as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and travel delays. The Police may adjust the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures as may be necessary.

For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or its mobile application "HKeMobility". Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.

 

HK cracks down on hawking at FDH haunts

 

Various clothing items seized during the FEHD-led operations

After a few weeks of information campaign and warnings, officers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have stepped up enforcement actions against unlicensed hawking and illegal obstruction in places where foreign domestic workers gather on their days off.

A total of nine persons were arrested during two successive Sunday of operations, eight of them foreigners and one Chinese man, aged 30 to 55. Two of them held recognizance forms, indicating their status as asylum seekers, while one had a mainland travel permit.

Basahin ang detalye!

Seized during the operations, according to a government press release, were 1.5 tons of good, including cooked food in takeaway boxes, clothes, shoes, handbags and cosmetics.

Reports shared on Facebook showed that among the places targeted were the grounds surrounding the HSBC headquarters in Central, where various goods are routinely peddled, mostly by Filipinos as well as Indians.

Food and drinks seized from unlicensed hawkers

But photos of the food seized indicated they could have come most likely from Victoria Park, where Indonesians are known to freely sell or even cook their native dishes.

The government statement said relevant government departments have been notified about the arrest of persons suspected of breaching their conditions of stay, so follow-up actions may be taken as appropriate.

MWO staff Danny Baldon joins information campaign against illegal work, hawking

In the past two weekends, FEHD officers have teamed up with staff of relevant consulates-general in Hong Kong to distribute leaflets warning against illegal work, unlicensed hawking and obstruction of passageways, as well as environmental hygiene and food safety precautions.

The teams went to known FDW haunts and reminded migrant workers that unlicensed hawking is illegal, and to appeal to them not to patronize illegal hawkers.   

Under Hong Kong laws, unlicensed hawking is punishable with up to HK$10,000 in fines and six months’ imprisonment.   

If unlicensed hawking activities also cause obstruction of passageways, the maximum fine prescribed is HK$25,000 or imprisonment for three months.

In addition, anyone who is found selling restricted food (specifically frozen meat, sushi and sashimi) could be fined up to HK$50,000 and jailed for up to six months.

If the hawker is a foreign domestic worker, an additional charge of breaching the condition of stay could be levied. Employers are advised to remind their helpers to abide by the law, and not sell food items that may compromise environmental hygiene.

Anyone who knows of any unlicensed hawking activities may report the same to the FEHD.