4 Philippine films featured in ASEAN Film Fest 2026

 

The Loboc Children's Choir performed on opening night of the ASEAN FilmFest

Four outstanding movies from the Philippines are featured in this year’s ASEAN Film Festival, with one of them, Song of the Fireflies, making it as the opening film for the yearly event.

The internationally renowned Loboc Children’s Choir, on which the film revolves, was also flown in for a post-screening concert at the Hong Kong Palace Theatre in West Kowloon on Aug. 20, before a diverse crowd of ASEAN diplomats, film buffs and FilmFest executives.

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After their concert, the young singers were joined onstage by their founder and music trainer Alma Taldo, whose struggles to form the choir and help it navigate the tough series of choral competitions across the Philippines, served as an inspiration for the movie.

Together they received a plaque of appreciation from the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation and the Philippine Consulate General led by Consul General Romulo D. Israel, Jr.

Still from Leonor Will Never Die

Also making it to the list was Leonor Will Never Die, an imaginative debut feature by a multi-awarded filmmaker Martika Ramirez Escobar.

The film described as “vibrant love letter to the golden age of Philippine cinema,” was shown twice at M Theatre in West Kowloon: the first on August 23, and the second a week later, on August 30, which also featured a post-screening talk by Escobar.

Leonor Will Never Die won the Special Jury Award for Innovative Spirit at the Sundance Film Festival.

Boses tells the story of a young abused boy who regains his voice through music

Soon to be shown is the third movie on the list, Boses, which shows the universal healing power of music. It tells the story of Onyok, a mute seven-year-old boy who regains his voice and heals his trauma from abuse through violin lessons given by a reclusive musician named Ariel.

This Cinemalaya movie has won wide acclaim, and swept almost all major awards at the Golden Screen Awards in 2009, including Best Director for Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, Best Motion Picture for Drama, Best Editing, Best Musical Score, Best Original Screenplay and Best Breakthrough Performance By An Actor for Julian Duque, who played Onyok.

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As an added bonus, Ongkeko-Marfil and one of the film’s co-writers Froi Medina will join a talkback after the Boses screening set for September 12, 3pm onwards, at the Emperor Cinema at iSquare in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Renowned Filipino violinist Coke Bolipata, who plays the role of Ariel in the movie, will also do a mini-concert with four of his young musical talents after the screening.

Unmarry is about a couple who goes through annulment then realize they can still be friends

Last on the list is Unmarry, a 2025 movie directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, one of the most awarded independent filmmakers in the Philippines today.

The movie starring Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo, revolves around a couple who goes through the process of annulling their marriage and discussing custody of their three children. During a series of meetings and hearings they formed a bond that raises the possibility of finding a new chance at love.

The movie will be screened at Emperor Cinema at Entertaiment Building in Central on September 20.

The ASEAN FilmFest 2026 which runs from August 20 to September 27, features more than 30 carefully selected movies from 11 ASEAN members, as well as Hong Kong, China, Australia, Pakistan and Russia, all shown to the public for free. This is the biggest lineup since the festival's inception.

This year's featured films include for the first time one from Timor-Leste, ASEAN's newest member.

38 persons arrested in latest anti-illegal work operations

 

A food delivery man suspected of illegal work is led away by Immigration agents (File)

A total of 38 persons were arrested over the past week in the latest of anti-illegal work operations carried out by the Immigration Department and other government agencies.

Law enforcers from Immigration, Customs, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department carried out a series of raids from Aug 21 to 27 that targeted multiple locations including restaurants, markets and warehouses.

Of those arrested, 31 were suspected to be illegal workers, four were employers and three were overstayers.

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The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 21 men and 10 women, aged 20 to 60. Among them, three men and one woman were holding recognisance forms.

Four men, aged 23 to 51, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. Further investigations are being carried out to look into their operations, and whether other people are involved.

The arrested overstayers were three women aged 32 to 58.

At the same time, Immigration officers also distributed leaflets to employers participating in a large-scale job fair in Mong Kok to remind them not to hire illegal workers. The leaflets also bore the dedicated hotline for reporting illegal workers 185 185.

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Under Immigration laws, illegal workers face the maximum sentence of between two and three years in jail and a fine of up to HK$50,000.

All work that is not allowed under the visa granted to tourists and migrant workers is deemed illegal, whether paid or unpaid. They are also prohibited in engaging in business.

Employers of illegal workers face the stiffer penalty of up to HK$500,000 in fine and a maximum jail time of 10 years.

 

PCG disowns fake post about 'concubinage' of Filipina

 

It took the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong only a few hours to distance itself from a post it supposedly sent out, calling on people to disclose information they might have about a Filipina who is allegedly wanted for “concubinage.”

The fake post immediately went viral, despite obviously erroneous claims.

For one thing, concubinage is a crime committed only by married men who cohabit with a woman other than his wife. A woman, on the other hand, can be charged with adultery if she engages in an extra-marital affair.

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However, and more importantly, the Consulate will never post publicly about certain crimes allegedly committed by a Filipino national.

This was stressed in the Consulate’s advisory captioned “fake posts purporting to be issued by Hong Kong PCG.”.

“The Consulate General stresses that it will not divulge personal information to the public without the data owner’s consent in all its social media posts, in compliance with R.A. No 10173 of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.

The PCG also warned the public against using its name, seal and other symbols without authorization, and advised all Filipinos not to easily rely on social media posts, and not spread fake posts supposedly coming from the Consulate.

The fake post was shared by many Filipinos in HK

Addressing the fake notice that the alleged respondent in the legal complaint has been summoned to its office on August 31, a holiday, the Consulate said it never invites Filipino nationals to its office on work days,  for amicable settlements of disputes.

Further, any such invitation is always sent directly to the parties involved “and never through public notices.

The fake post which was posted anonymously in several Facebook groups and reposted by individuals in their own accounts, came with a supposed warning to members of the Filipino community that engaging in relationships with married persons is punishable under Philippine law.

The post also falsely claimed that such actions also violate local regulations and can lead to the cancellation of a person’s employment visa, and immediate deportation back to the Philippines.

It is unclear who was behind the fake post, and why it was made.

Case of Filipino in 8-kilo cannabis haul moved to District Court

Customs' marijuana haul

A Filipino arrested at the airport after more than eight kilos of cannabis (marijuana) in herbal form was discovered in his checked-in luggage, was returned to jail today after he appeared at the West Kowloon Court, which elevated his case to the District Court.

Clay John Tianzon, 27 years old who works as a photographer, was booked for transfer to the District Court on September 17 by Principal Magistrate Don So.

Tianzon is facing two charges filed by the Customs and excise Department after he arrived from Bangkok on July 25 last year and officers examined his luggage at Customs Arrival Hall B, Passenger Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport, in Chek Lap Kok.

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Tianzon was charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug, contrary to section 4(1)(a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

He was accused of “unlawfully traffick(ing) in a dangerous drug, namely 8,004.3 grams of cannabis in herbal form and traces of cannabis in herbal form,” the Customs charge sheet said.

He was also charged with importing an alternative smoking product, contrary to section 13B of the Import and Export Ordinance.

The charge arose from an eléctronic cigarette device that officers found in his luggage.

Pinay gets 23 months in jail for laundering $747K

 

Illustrative photo created with deevid.ai

A Filipina domestic helper has begun a 23-month jail sentence after being convicted after trial at Fanling Court for money laundering that amounted to $747,444.

Nora Tan, 54 years old, listened as Magistrate Kenneth Chan read his decision on Tuesday (August 25).

Tan had been charged with dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence, contrary to sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

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The charge arose after $747,444 of proceeds from crime passed through her Hang Seng Bank, in a series of deposits and withdrawals between September 25, 2019 and July 31, 2020.

She was charged with dealing with money derived from crime, “knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that” the property “in whole or in part directly or indirectly, represented any person's proceeds of an indictable offence,” according to the information filed by Tai Po police.

 

3 FDHs warned for using employers’ data to obtain loans

 

Chung says the FDHs were not prosecuted but have since been sacked

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data has disclosed issuing warning letters to three domestic helpers after they used their employers’ personal details without consent to secure loans from financing companies.

Privacy Commissioner Ada Chung said the three were not prosecuted, but told to comply strictly with the law in future. They have all been dismissed by their employers since.

Chung said the letters were sent out after the employers complained to the PCPD. A total of 21 inquiries and complaints were made with the privacy watchdog in the first half of the year by employers regarding the improper use of their personal data by their helpers.

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In one of these cases, a helper borrowed from four different financing companies, and after failing to pay off her loans, her employer received phone calls and text messages from all four money lenders within the same day, demanding repayment.

In two of the cases, the employers were called up four times in a day to remind their helpers to pay up.

In another case, the employer was warned that debt collectors would be sent to their home if the outstanding balance was not paid.

Chung said that using an employer’s personal information for loan applications has no connection to the employment relationship. As such, all three helpers had breached the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. 

Under the Ordinance, disclosing someone else’s personal information without consent could result in a maximum fine of up to HK$1 million and two years in prison.

The privacy watchdog reminded FDHs that they must secure explicit consent before using their employers’ personal data, and not use these arbitrarily.

Employers for their part are advised to carefully review any documents presented to them by their domestic helpers before signing.

With the stricter regulations for unsecured loans that took effect from this month, Chung said she hopes the number of cases involving breach of employers’ data for loan purposes would drop significantly.

 

 

 

 

HK Customs steps up operation against cigarette smugglers

 

The three-day Customs haul at the airport

Hong Kong Customs has issued a warning to passengers arriving through the airport and seaports, who habitually bring reams of cigarettes in their luggage: such smuggling can land you in jail.

The warning comes in the form of an operation enforcement operation codenamed "Tempest", the latest of which was held last August 19 to 21, in which a total of 1.4 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $6.2 million and a duty potential of about $4.5 million were seized.

Fourteen persons, mostly from Southeast Asian countries, were arrested.

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“Passengers are reminded not to engage in illicit cigarette smuggling to avoid the risks of getting caught. Customs will also closely monitor illicit cigarette syndicates and continue the multipronged enforcement strategy to vigorously combat illicit cigarette activities,” it said in a statement.

The 14 arrested passengers, aged between 23 and 56, arrived in Hong Kong from the Southeast Asian region.

“An investigation revealed that the check-in baggage carried by the arrestees was fully packed with duty-not-paid cigarettes and contained no other personal belongings” it said.

All the 14 have been charged with dealing with, possessing, importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, or failing to declare to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.

Nine of them were convicted at the Magistrates' Courts and sentenced to immediate imprisonment ranging from eight months to 20 months. One of the arrestees was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment for smuggling over 180,000 illicit cigarettes into Hong Kong.

“The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences,” Customs said.

“The operation is ongoing. Customs will keep strengthening passenger clearance based on risk assessment to combat cross-boundary illicit cigarette activities,” it added.

Under the Ordinance, anyone involved in importing, dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

HK OFWs get 92% pass rate in TESDA massage therapy assessment

 

TESDA assessors in action at the OWWA training center (PCG photo)

A total of 73 out of 79 overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong who took the recent massage therapy assessment administered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) passed the test.

The candidates were trained by the United Migrant Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Association (Umela)  and the Filipino Massage Therapy Organization.

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The assessments were done over two days, on Aug 15 to 16, at the Filipino Workers Development and Social Centre (FWDSC) at United Centre Building in Admiralty, in line with a recent agreement between TESDA and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to continue the upskilling of OFWs.

An initial assessment of massage therapy candidates conducted by TESDA on June 6 to 7 this year yielded a 86% passing rate.

Baquirin (in white) along with her successful trainees

Overjoyed by the outcome of the latest TESDA assessment was UMELA founder and lead trainor Ofelia Baquirin who revealed that of the 56 of examinees from her group, only one did not make the grade.

“Sa draping part kasi nagkaroon ng miscommunication. Naunang bumangon ang kanyang client bago pa niya maalalayan,” Baquirin shared. (There was miscommunication in the draping part. Her client already rose before she could be assisted).

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She said she’s sure that in the next assessment this minor slip-up will not happen again.

Baquirin also explained that the assessment was a dream come true for many of her students, as they had been petitioning for TESDA to return to Hong Kong to give the qualifying exam.

“First passers sila since 2019, when Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre was still in Hong Kong, and he helped us convince TESDA to come,” she said.

UMELA provides rigorous training to OFWs who aspire to receive the TESDA certificate

The assessment forms part of OWWA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the skills development of OFWs and provide them nationally recognized qualifications that enhance their professional competencies and expand employment opportunities.

In line with this commitment, OWWA signed a memorandum of agreement last June with TESDA, which includes the provision of National Certificates and regular conduct of assessment programs for various upskilling courses for OFWs

2 women on flight from Manila arrested for cannabis trafficking

 

One of the arrested women involved in the case is escorted by Customs officers

Two mainland women have been arrested after disembarking from a plane that flew in from Manila after Hong Kong Customs found 27 kilos of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $6.3 million in their check-in luggage.

The two women, aged 49 and 51, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, via Manila on Wednesday  (August 19),.

They have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts.

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“Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis,” it said in a press statement.

The department also reminded members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return.

“They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people,” it said.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offense. The maximum 

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penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

26 people arrested in latest anti-illegal work operations

 

Immigration conducts weekly anti-illegal work sweep (File)

As part of its continuing campaign to crack down on illegal work, the Immigration Department mounted a series of operations across the city over the past week, and arrested a total of 26 people.

Those detained comprised 18 suspected illegal workers, two overstayers and six employers.

The workers comprised 12 men and six women, aged 24 to 63. Six men were found to hold recognizance papers which allow them to remain in Hong Kong to pursue asylum applications, but prohibit them from taking any form of employment.

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The arrested overstayers were both women, aged 45.

Five men and one woman aged 32 to 49, were detained on suspicion of employing the illegal workers. An investigation into their activities is continuing, and the possibility of further arrests has not been ruled out.

The operations were carried out from August 14 to 20, with officers from other government departments taking part.

One was codenamed “Twilight” and was jointly carried out with officers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. Another called “Flabbergast” was a joint operation with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

The Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department were involved in  "Powerplayer", while a separate one held jointly with the HK Police was codenamed "Champion.”

Targeted were multiple locations including restaurants, industrial buildings and flats under renovation.

At the same time, Immigration officers used a promotional vehicle to distribute leaflets to the public in a newly inhabited housing estate in Fanling, urging the public not to employ illegal workers.

Illegal work in Hong Kong carries the maximum penalty of up to two years in prison and fine of no more than HK$50,000.

If the illegal worker is an overstayer or an illegal immigrant, the maximum jail term is three years in prison and a maximum fine of HK$50,000.

Employers of illegal workers can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of HK$500,000. Customers who knowingly engage the services of such workers may also be subject to criminal liability.

Those who wish to report illegal work activities may call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

 

Filipina jailed 2 weeks for stealing $3,500

 

Tuen Mun law courts building

A Filipina domestic helper who pleaded guilty yesterday, Wednesday, to stealing $3,500 cash from a residential flat in Yuen Long, has been sentenced to two weeks in jail.

Lovely Fe Caldeo, 41 years old, stole the money from Chan Ka Yan last June 22 at Nam Hang Tsuen, Nam Hang Tsuen Road, Yuen Long.

She was charged with theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

The offence is punishable with a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment for summary convictions in a Magistrate’s Court. In a higher court, the maximum sentence is 10 years in jail.

Tuen Mun Acting Principal Magistrate Daniel Tang meted the sentence.

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In the same court, two warring Filipinas were told that the charges filed against them would be dropped if they agreed to settle their dispute amicably.

C. Gatdula, 47, and a housewife, was originally charged with common assault, while domestic helper L Juntado, 41, faced a case of criminal damage.

Magistrate Tang ordered the cases dropped but Juntado must pay Gatdula $3,000 as compensation for the mobile phone that she damaged, as this was what prompted the latter to attack her.

Their dispute that led to them being both arrested broke out last July 21 at a flat in Pearly House on Yuen Long On Lok Road, Yuen Long.

Gatdula was initially charged with common assault under section 40 of the Offences against the Person Ordinance after she assaulted Juntado.

Juntado on the other hand, was charged with damaging Gatdula’s phone, “intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.”

OFW dies in sleep, stroke suspected

 

58-year-old Emily did not tell anyone about her apparent hypertension

If you feel something is not right with your body, go have yourself checked.

This is the message that the family and friends of Emily Taroma, who died on August 9, just a month after turning 58, want her fellow migrant domestic worker to take to heart.

One of her friends said Emily was found unconscious in her room at about 9am that day by her longtime employer who lives in Tai Kok Tsui. She was rushed to hospital but was declared dead within minutes of arrival.

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Emily’s daughter Edelyn who is a registered nurse, said her mother had no known ailment, but when her room was checked, herbal medicines meant to lower blood pressure was found.

Both she and Emily’s employer for the past 21 years, have agreed to waive an autopsy on the remains, as they are convinced the death was due to a stroke or any other natural cause.

Because of this and her family’s decision not to hold a wake in Hong Kong, the repatriation of Emily’s remains to her hometown of Villasis, Pangasinan has been speeded up.

Emily’s body will be flown home to Manila on Sunday, August 22, and from there, will be accompanied on a land trip to Pangasinan by staff of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Edelyn, who has flown to Hong Kong and has been staying with her mother’s kindly employer while they worked on the documents needed for the repatriation, will return home a day earlier so she could join her family in receiving the remains.

She shared that Emily’s employer and companion for the past 21 years has been very generous and caring, settling all the payments due to her family, and more. The employer has also felt especially sad that she was not able to help Emily seek treatment for any medical concerns she might have had.

Emily shared this photo on Facebook of Edelyn graduating valedictorian in elementary

Emily’s last flight home is doubly heartbreaking to her family as she had already told them of her plan to go home for good, after spending about three decades working abroad, first in the Middle East, and then Hong Kong.

But they take comfort in the knowledge that Emily passed after fulfilling what most OFWs like her dream of when they leave the country for work, that is, to provide a better life for their children. Her youngest son just graduated from college, while Edelyn, the only girl in a brood of four, became a full-fledged nurse less than two years ago.

Emily is survived by her four children and husband Eduardo.

303 OFWs in HK avail of PhP31 million in Aksyon Fund assistance

 

DMW and Consulate officials pose with Kumustahan participants (MWO photo)

A total of HK$3.9 million or PhP31 million in assistance has been distributed to 303 Overseas Filipino Workers under the Aksyon Fund from January to June 2026, the Migrant Workers Office has reported,

Aksyon (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan) Fund is a special Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) allocation providing free legal, medical, financial, and humanitarian aid—including rescue, evacuation, and repatriation—to distressed OFWs and their families.

“In most cases kapag may lumapit sa amin we will be providing referrals pero kapag available naman dito (n Hogn Kong), we will provide the assistance right away,” Labor Attaché Cesar L. Chavez Jr. said during the Kumustahan Session with Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Felicitas Q. Bay last Aug. 16 at the DMW-OWWA OFW Global Centre in Hong Kong. 

He added that this assistance is a one-time aid for OFWs in need.

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The assistance takes many forms, such as:

Legal Aid: Attorney fees, court litigation expenses, and representation for labor, immigration, or criminal cases.

Medical and Burial: Hospitalization, medicines, medical evacuation, and shipment of human remains.

Repatriation and Shelter: Emergency transport, exit visas, temporary accommodations, and food allowances.

Financial Grants: One-time cash assistance for economic displacement or bereavement (up to ₱100,000 for next of kin).

For her part, Undersecretary Bay said: “24/7 po ang ating operations sa Department of Migrant Workers at sa lahat ng Migrant Workers Offices.”

She added that the DMW also has a One Repatriation Command Center through hotline 1348 ready to cater to OFWs and their families other than the MWO Hotlines available at post.

The Kumustahan Session provided Filipinos in Hong Kong with an opportunity to be briefed on the wide range of programs and services offered by DMW, remind them of their legal rights while working abroad and inform them of upskilling programs that they can avail from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).  

“The event reinforces DMW’s commitment to ensuring that Overseas Filipino Workers remain informed, empowered, and safeguarded in their overseas journey” the MWO said in a statement.

Undersecretary Bay was joined by Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr., Vice Consul George Mariano Soriano, TESDA Executive Director Janet M. Abasolo, DMW Adjudication Bureau Director Maria Bernadine Madamba and Labor Attaché Chavez..

“Together, they addressed concerns raised by the community and reaffirmed the Philippine government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers,”MWO said. 

Manila urges Beijing to provide details on arrests of 100 Filipinos in China

 

DFA calls for detailed information on arrests of 100 Filipinos in China

The Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines has confirmed reports that more than 100 Filipinos have been arrested in China for alleged migration law violations.

The DFA said in a statement late on Thursday that it “noted” the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement on the arrests.

At the same time, the DFA reminded China of a 2013 agreement that requires consular posts to be notified within days of the arrest of its nationals.

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“The Department is in close coordination with our Embassy in Beijing and our consulates-general to verify the circumstances of the arrests, ascertain the exact number and status of those apprehended, ensure that due process is observed, and extend consular assistance as needed,” said the statement.

Chinese authorities earlier said more than 100 Filipino nationals were “taken in accordance with the law” over alleged migration law violations. No other details were announced.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced the arrests

The DFA the Philippines respects China’s authority to implement its immigration laws. However, it called on Beijing to ensure the rights of the detained Filipinos are respected and to immediately inform Philippine foreign service posts about the details of their arrest, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the 2013 Philippines-China Consular Agreement.

The heads of posts in various cities across China, including Hong Kong, were immediately summoned to a meeting in Guangzhou the day after the arrests were announced, in a bid to try to gather as much information as possible about the individual cases.

Meanwhile, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the detention of the Filipinos could be in retaliation for the arrests of 69 Chinese nationals in Misamis Oriental last May.

In that case, Teodoro said the Chinese nationals were clearly involved in illegal activities in the Philippines, churning out substandard products from a steel plant while keeping radioactive materials and polluting the environment with toxic fumes and untreated waste water.

In the case of the Filipinos arrested in China, he said Beijing has not been forthright in providing details about their individual cases.