Filipinos in HK hold memorial services for Tai Po fire victims

 

Flowers and prayers were offered on Chater Road to the victims of the Tai Po tragedy

There was a huge outpouring of grief and sympathy for the victims of the massive fire in Tai Po that based on the latest figures, has claimed the lives of 146 people, as Filipinos gathered on Sunday to hold two separate memorial services for them.

In the first event, organized by FilAction Hong Kong, a mass was held at 11am on Chater Road, with Fr. Dwight dela Torre of Philippine Independent Church officiating.

Hundreds of Filipinos were joined by a big number of migrant workers from Indonesia and other natioanalities in a gathering held in in solidarity with the victims of the tragedy. Nine Indonesian domestic workers and one Filipina were among those who died.

DETAILS HERE

“With heavy hearts and hopeful spirits, we stood united in our shared grief and concerns,” said FilAction HK in a statement.

Fr Dwight reminded all those who gathered of the strength found in community and the healing power of support.

Fr Dwight led the community in praying for strength and healing for the victims and their families

The memorial service which was arranged on a day’s notice, was held in lieu of a mass protest action against corruption which FilAction (Filipinos Against Corruption and Impunity) Hong Kong had planned to coincide with the One Trillion March in several places in the Philippines.

The Consulate also offered a mass for the Tai Po victims at the OFW Global Centre

At 4:30pm, the Philippine Consulate General organized a Catholic mass at the OFW Global Centre also in memory of the victims of the Tai Po tragedy.

Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. led the rites, during which a special prayer for the Tai Po victims was read out.

Basahin ang detalye!

The prayer read in part: “We earnestly beg Your grace, show mercy to all those who have died, and grant them eternal rest.”

“We implore You to heal the injured, that in their suffering they may find Your comfort.”

Congen Israel lit the ceremonial candle signifying the Advent, or the coming of Christ.

Consul General Jun Israel lights the candle signifying the start of Advent

The mass was also held to offer a special prayer for Fr. Efren Ojeda, OFM, who passed away on November 22 at the age of 66.

Fr Efren had long served the Filipinos in Hong Kong, and was well-remembered for his humor and deep concern for the migrant community.

A full memorial mass for Fr Efren will be held at a later date, followed by his burial. 

$5.1m money laundering case sent up to DC

 

The Fanling Court has elevated to District Court a money laundering case involving one of the biggest sums ever seen in a bank account held by a Filipina.

Jereza Baylon, 44 years old, will thus appear at the higher  court on Dec. 18 to face a charge of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to section 25(1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

DETAILS HERE

In the case’s final  hearng on Friday (Nov. 28) at Fanling Court, Magistrate Frances Leung Nga-yan ordered that Baylon, who is unemployed and has no permnent address in Hong Kong, be detained until the next court date.

A complaint filed by Tai Po Police alleged that Baylon handled $5,144,271:3 in her account with Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited between July 1, 2023 and Oct. 23, 2023.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

It said she let the transactions in her bank account take place “knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that property… in whole or in part directly or indirectly represented any person's proceeds of an indictable offence.”

Section 3 of the Ordinance prescribes the following penalties for the offense:

Basahin ang detalye!

(a) on conviction upon indictment: a fine of $5,000,000 and imprisonment for 14 years; or

(b) on summary conviction: a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for 3 years.

 

Pinay’s fraud sentencing put off

 

 Shatin Court

A Filipina scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday at Shatin Court for conspiracy to defraud, a result of her pleading guilty earlier to lying to the Immigration Department to get her domestic helper’s visa approved, will have to wait another 11 months to find out her penalty.

Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong put off the sentencing of J. Soberano to Oct. 16 next year to allow additional investigation in which she promised to help prosecute other people involved in the conspiracy.

In the meantime, Magistrate Cheang allowed her bail of $1,000.

DETAILS HERE

Soberano is accused of violating Common Law and sections 2(3) and 4 (2) of the Criminal Jurisdiction Ordinance, which is punishable under section 159C(6) of the Crimes Ordinance.

In its complaint, the HK Police alleged tnat Soberano “conspired together with other persons unknown, to defraud the Director of Immigration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("the Director") and his officers” by entering into a fake domestic helper’s contract with her supposed employer, Li Sin-ting.

PINDUTIN DITO

The complaint said she “dishonestly and falsely represent(ed) to the Director and his officers that (her) entries to and remaining in Hong Kong were for the purpose of working as a domestic helper of Li… and thereby to induce the said Director and his officers to act contrary to their public duty, namely to grant (her) permission to enter and remain in Hong Kong under circumstances which they would not otherwise have granted.”

Meanwhile, a trial against an agent accused of setting up an arrangement similar to Soberano’s, will continue on Dec. 15-16 after using up two scheduled dates today.

Basahin ang detalye!

Kathleen Emily Vizcarra,  36 years old, is also accused of conspiracy to defraud as the agent who arranged for Mariclaire Calagui to get a visa after entering into a fake domestic helper’s contract with Lee Ka Ming Billy.

Such a lie induced Immigration officers “to act contrary to their public duty,” the complaint said.

Deputy Magistrate LI Cheuk-wai set her bail at $20,000 plus surety of $20,000.

Tai Po fire kills 13 people, injures 33 others

 

The deadly fire raged into the night (photo credit to owner)

Fire is still raging at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po 10 hours after it began, killing at least 13 people, including a fireman who was among dozens deployed to fight the blaze.

As of midnight, a government spokesman said 33 people have been injured I the blaze, seven of them in critical condition, 13 serious, and eight stable. The condition of one victim is unknown while four have been discharged after treatment.

The fire that broke out at 2:51pm quickly spread through bamboo scaffolding erected over seven blocks in the housing estate, and was upgraded to the No. 5 alarm, the highest in Hong Kong, in less than four hours.

DETAILS HERE

At least one Filipina domestic worker who reportedly arrived in Hong Kong only the previous day was reported to have been trapped in one of the buildings that caught fire, along with her female employer and a baby.

The worker, identified as Rhodora Alcaraz Tonacao, sent an audio message to a friend, asking for help. “Tulungan ninyo kami, nasusunugan na kami dito, na stuck na kami sa room, ang usok na dito sa loob, hawak ko ang baby…” said Rhodora.

Basahin ang detalye!

(Please help us, our house is on fire and we’re stuck in a room. There’s thick smoke, and I am carrying the baby).

But shortly after midnight, the assistance to nationals section of the Migrant Workers Office said Rhodora, her employer and the baby were all safe.

Rhodora's eldest sister Jacqueline appealed for help on Facebook

Earlier, Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. told The SUN they had been informed about Rhodora’s appeal and has already asked Hong Kong authorities for assistance.

“It’s tragic and heartbreaking to see such a fire of this magnitude engulf residential buildings where FDWs may be working,” Congen Israel said earlier. “But as of now, we have not received official report on any Filipinos that might have been affected.’

He added that the Consulate is praying hard for the victims, their families and the rescuers, “that God may show mercy and help the firemen and responders to put out the fire.”

Officials of the Consulate, including those at MWO and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, were up until past midnight to respond to queries and any appeals for help for Filipinos who might have been trapped in the inferno.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee inspected the temporary shelter for affected residents at Tai Po Community Centre on Wednesday night, before proceeding to Prince of Wales Hospital to check on the condition of the injured victims.

The Tai Po fire was one of the city’s deadliest, and triggered the maximum No 5 alarm for the first time in 17 years.

It's the first time in 17 years that the no 5 fire alarm was triggered

CE Lee is expected to provide further updates on the fire after his visits.

Several government officials including the Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Civil Service Secretary Ingrid Yeung, expressed sorrow over the death of fireman Ho Wai-ho who sustained injuries while fighting the fire.

He was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment but succumbed to his injuries later.

 

Police say Filipina still detained for vandalizing toilet

The public toilet where the alleged incident happened

Hong Kong Police have confirmed the arrest last week of a 39-year-old Filipina whose visa status was not mentioned, for allegedly using a cutter to damage two signs inside a public toilet in Sham Shui Po.

Police were called by a cleaner at about 1pm on November 17 after the Filipina allegedly ushed inside the toilet on Apliu Street and slashed two “Cleaning in Progress” signs with a box cutter.

Reports said the woman was acting erratically and appeared to be highly agitated at the time.

DETAILS HERE

Officers who rushed to the place searched the woman’s backpack and discovered a second cutter.

The police arrested her for possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage, before she was taken to Caritas Medical Centre for treatment..

Basahin ang detalye!

A brief police statement emailed to The SUN said she the suspect is still being detained as of Tuesday, November 25.

More charges filed against 6 DHs arrested for operating dental clinic

 

The 6 Filipino DHs after their arrest in unlicensed dental business

Prosecutors have filed 10 more charges against six Filipino domestic helpers arrested last August for running an unlicensed dental clinic in Sham Shui Po. 

Their leader, Marites Bohol, 48 years old, faced seven of the charges when she appeared before Magistrate Raymond Wong today at Shatin Court, and was returned to jail to await the next hearing on Jan. 20 next year, while her five co-accused were freed on bail of $2,000 each.

Bohol originally faced a charge of breach of condition of stay for allegedly establishing a business, which domestic helpers are not allowed to do, and illegally employing four of her of-accused. She was slapped two additional charges of practicing dentistry while not a registered dentist.

DETAILS HERE

Four charges were dismissed against Marissa Necesito, 60 years old, for employing four fellow domestic helpers to help out in the clinic. However, the charge of breach of condition of stay remained, and she faces an additional charge of practicing dentistry without a license.

The four others -- Carles Lie Ramos, 34 years old .Cherrie Mel Patiga, 37 years old. Rowena Cerdina, 46 years old. Jucen Naong, 40 years old – were each slapped charges of breach of conditions of stay for illegally working in the clinic as “dental assistants”, and of “aiding and abetting” Bohol and Necessito.

The six were arrested by Immigration Department officers last Aug. 17 in a raid on a subdivided unit in Sham Shui Po while allegedly providing unlicensed dental treatments.

Basahin ang detalye!

Thirteen other Filipinos were found inside the makeshift clinic, apparently customers seeking treatment at between $150 and $500 per procedure. They were not arrested.

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

 

Filipina detained for allegedly making child pornography

 

Tuen Mun Court

A Filipina domestic helper has been returned to jail custody after appearing at Tuen Mun Courts today, charged with making child pornography.

E. Chua, 44 years old, will be detained until the next hearing scheduled for Dec. 1 by Acting Principal Magistrate Daniel Tang.

Information filed by the Tuen Mun Police last July 7 alleged that Chua made “child pornography, namely, one video of girl Y masturbating, two videos of boy X masturbating and being nude, one video of boy X peeing and girl Y showing her chest and two pictures of boy X being nude.”

DETAILS HERE

The pornography was made on an “unknown date between the 19th day of November 2022 and the 04th day of July 2025” in a flat in Blossom Garden, on Leung Tak Street, New Territories, police added.

Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Child/Pornography Ordinance, under which Chua is charged, states:

“Any person who prints, makes, produces, reproduces, copies, imports or exports any child pornography commits an offence and is liable—

Basahin ang detalye!

“(a) on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2,000,000 and to imprisonment for 8 years; or

“(b) on summary conviction to a fine of $1,000,000 and to imprisonment for 3 years.

Fr Efren Ojeda, 66

 

Fr Efren, OFM, was known for his ever-present smile

Father Efren Ojeda of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), who was well-loved by many Filipino Catholics in Hong Kong, passed away on Saturday, November 22.

His death was announced by the OFM in Hong Kong, which also asked for prayers for his repose, and said details of his funeral would be announced at a later date.

Overseas Filipino worker Lydia Dolera, who is a regular volunteer for masses held at the Philippine Consulate, said Fr. Efren was found collapsed on Saturday, but had no information on the cause of his death.

DETAILS HERE

Lydia said Fr Efren was set to say mass on Sunday at the OFW Global Centre, in celebration of the feast of the Christ the King, and she had thought of going to him for confession. 

His death made her recall an incident showing Fr Efren's humorous side. As she was about to make her confession to him one time, Fr. Efren said in jest that God already knew what she was going to say.

Basahin ang detalye!

Fr Efren was known to many other Filipino Catholics in Hong Kong as he had said mass for years at various churches with big Filipino congregations, like St Jude’s in North Point, the Catholic Centre as well as St. Joseph’s church in Central, and many others.

He was also known to readily agree to give final blessings to Filipinos who passed away in Hong Kong, particularly the migrant workers.

Fr Efren blesses young cathechists at St Jude's church in North Point

One OFW church volunteer posted on Facebook that Fr Efren was supposed to be with her group to preside over the Solemnity of Christ the King mass, followed by an afternoon procession and the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament – something he used to do with them every year.

“We are saddened …that you are gone on the eve of the celebration,” said the OFW. “You may not be with us today physically but in our hearts, our prayers and celebrations, you will always be with us..."

She added that Fr Efren’s inspirational homilies, personal guidance as well as the jokes he often made would be in the hearts of her church group.

To many other churchgoers, Fr Efren’s passing meant they would no longer hear his trademark after-mass blessing which he would always sing in a distinct way: “May the blessing of the Lord, the blessing of the Lord, be with you all the way…”

Fr. Efren was 66.

 

Belen-making contest for orgs launched

 

The Consulate General has launched PaSTARan 2025, this year’s contest for Belen-making for all organizations in the Filipino community, with the theme: Holy Family, Light of Happiness and Love.

Organized in collaboration with LBC Hong Kong, St. Joseph’s Church and the Philippine Association of Hong Kong, the annual contest provides an opportunity for members of the Filipino community to showcase their creativity, craftsmanship, and devotion through the art of Belen-making.

DETAILS HERE

Those who wish to join this contest may submit their filled-out Entry Registration Form (Form No. HKPCG-CS-PRN-2025-1) to the Consulate's Cultural Section OR accomplish the Google form from 20 to 30 November. The form can be opened by clicking this: bit.ly/4oXTCIT

The announcement and awarding of winners will be held immediately after the Simbang Gabi on Dec. 21 (Sunday) at 10:00 pm, at the St. Joseph's Church in Central. The evening party on Dec. 21 starts at 9:00pm.

PINDUTIN DITO

According to the guidelines for the contest, all Belen entries must:

• Only feature the Holy Family (St. Joseph, Mama Mary, Baby Jesus and the Star of Bethlehem);
• Be made up of at least 70% recycled and repurposed materials (used items meant for disposal); and
• Be 1.5 ft tall and 2 ft wide. Any measurement in excess of the allowable size will incur point deductions.
• Lighting-enabled entries must use battery-operated lights.
• Only one (1) entry will be allowed for each Filipino Community organization.

Basahin ang detalye!

Criteria for judging are the following:

• Relevance to the theme 30%
• Originality 30%
• Overall presentation 20%
• Creativity 10%
• Use of recycled materials 10%

The prizes are:

Grand Winner: HKD 4,000 and 2 medium-sized door-to-door boxes

1st Runner Up: HKD 2,500 and 1 medium-sized box

2nd Runner Up{ HKD 1,500 and 1 medium-sized box

People's Choice Award: HKD 500 and 1 medium-sized box

For inquiries and additional information, please send an email at cultural.pcg@gmail.com or call 2823-8535.

Fight with Pinay lands Dominican in jail

 

Bar strip where fight took place (Google Maps photo)

A Dominican woman has found herself in jail after a fight in a bar with an unidentified woman, said to be a Filipina, who disappeared when police officers arrived, leaving her alone to answer questions during investigation.

Worse, Lisandra Manana Moya, 31 years old, also turned out to have been arrested two months earlier for drug possession.

When she appeared at Eastern Court on Nov. 17 (last Monday), the two cases were heard together by Magistrate Ko Wai-hung, who subsequently ordered that she be remanded until the next hearing on Jan. 5 next year.

DETAILS HERE

But Magistrate Ko scheduled a bail review for Nov. 25, to see if circumstances have changed to allow her bail. He also reminded her that she had the right to appeal his decision at the High Court.

Manana, who is unemployed, was charged with fighting in a public place, contrary to section 25 of the Public Order Ordinance, after fighting with an “unknown Philippines female”last Nov. 1 at Bar. 109, on Lockhart Road, Wan Chai..

It was not clear how the police found out the other woman was a Filipina

Basahin ang detalye!

Her second charge, possession of a dangerous drug, contrary to sections 8(1)(a) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, arose from her being arrested last Sept. 10 near the junction of Lockhart and Luard Road in Wan Chai.

Found in her possession, acording to a charge, was a plastic bag with “traces of a white solid containing cocaine”.

Pinoy jailed 4 months for drug and apparatus possession, resisting arrest

 

Area where Filipino was arrested (Google Maps photo by Kit Tsin)

A Filipino asylum seeker who earlier pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine hydrochloride (known to Filipinos as shabu) and apparatus to inhale it, and then resisting when four police officers arrested him, was jailed today for four months.

Aldrian Maloles, 37 years old and holder of a recognizance form to serve as identification document, had pleaded guilty in a hearing last Nov. 5 at Kwun Tong Court and Magistrate Lau Suk-han put off his sentencing to today pending a drug abuse report by the Drug Addiction Treatment Center.

The three offenses took place on Nov. 17 last year at the sitting out area outside 15 Sai Kung Hoi Pong Street, in Sai Kung, according to a police complaint dated May 16 this year.

DETAILS HERE

Maloles was sentenced to three months in jail for violating sections 8(1)(a) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance by having in his possession three plastic bags containing a total of 1.01 grams of a crystalline solid containing 0.99 gram of meth and one plastic bag containing 0.20 gram of crystalline meth.

He was jailed for two months for violating sections 36(1) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance by having in his possession one glass tube with one end shaped as a bulb containing 0.02 gram of crystalline solid meth and one glass bottle with two openings containing 0.01 gram of meth.

He received another six weeks for resistng when three police constables and one police sergeant arrested him, thus violating section 63 of the Police Force Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

Magistrate Lau ruled that the sentences for possession of drugs and apparatus run at the same time for a total of three months, followed by four weeks of the sentence for resisting arrest, for a final sentence of four months.