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OFWs support the protesters’ cause, but…

Posted on 14 June 2019 No comments
By The SUN

While the Consulate has warned Filipinos to stay away from areas where the ongoing mass protests in Hong Kong are being held, it has stopped short of advising them, particularly migrant workers, not to join the rallies.

Image may contain: 6 people
The 2014 pro-democracy protests in Tamar
This was unlike during the pro-democracy protests in 2014, when then Consul General Bernardita Catalla issued an explicit warning to Filipinos against joining the well-publicized mass actions, saying it could jeopardize their stay in Hong Kong.

Told about this, Consul General Tony Morales expressed surprise, saying Hong Kong does not seem to be that repressive, judging from the active involvement of some Filipino migrant leaders in protests they organized themselves, or by local activists.

Image may contain: 4 people, including Eman Villanueva
Villanueva in a rally for wage increase: Will the HK govrt be as tolerant now?
However, one of the familiar faces in these mass movements, Eman Villanueva, has himself advised migrants to take a more judicious look at whether joining the ongoing demonstrations could imperil their jobs or safety in Hong Kong.
“Nasa mga OFWs na ito kung lalahok sila o hindi. Hindi kami maaring mag impose sa sino man kasi right naman ng lahat na lumahok o hindi. Pero kung mag decide sila na lumahok, kailangang araling mabuti ang kalagayan at umiwas sa mga direct confrontation sa mga pulis. Tandaan na dahil kinategorya nang “riot” ang naganap na komprontasyon kahapon, sino mang mahuli at masampahan ng kaso ay maaring makulong ng up to 10 years. Maari itong maging dahilan ng pagkawala ng trabaho. Nauunawaan naman ng mga lokal na activists bakit limitado ang partisipasyon ng nga migrants,” he said.

But at the same time, he said migrant workers should also be concerned about the extradition bill, which is the focal point of the protests. He said everyone in Hong Kong should realize that if the bill is passed, it could be used by tyrannical rulers to their advantage, “kagaya sa Pilipinas.”

Other migrant leaders say that it will be safer for them to keep a low profile, while privately supporting the protesters.

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Queensway chaos: Motorists tried to block buses getting into Admiralty from Central on Jun 12, but were thwarted
“Hinahangaan namin ang pagkakaisa ng mga taga-Hong Kong, ang apoy ng kanilang paninindigan ay napakatatag at nagliliyab,” said Lorna Pagaduan, head of the Philippine Nurses Association Hong Kong.

However, Pagaduan said it will be more prudent for migrants to show their support silently, “para mapanatili namin ang seguridad din ng aming pananatili at malayo sa anumang pangyayari na maaring makaladkad ang aming mga amo, at ang aming pangangamuhan.”
Lindy Paclibar, president of Panay Overseas Workers Association HK, was less cautious, saying it’s up to her members if they want to join the demonstrations.

“Siguro wala namang masama kung gusto nilang sumama, basta iwas nalang sila kung mag-riot na, dapat na silang umalis para hindi sila masaktan,” she said.

She also expressed admiration for the united front shown by the Hong Kong people in fighting the extradition bill.

This stand was, however, opposed by Art Buban, founded of Bicol Migrants (HK) Association. He said: “Kung isasama ang mga members ng BMAHK ay huwag na, makakaapekto yan sa kanilang trabaho. Ipagdasal natin ang Hong Kong na maging maayos uli, na wala nang protesta.”



Giving a contrary opinion was Analyn Soriba, founder of The Adventurers. She said: . “Kung sakali humingi ng suporta sa aming migranteng manggagawa para makilahok sa malawakang protesta, hihikayatin ko rin ang aking mga kagrupo para makiisa. Pero sisiguraduhin ko muna na ang aming pakikiisa sa protesta ay hindi magdudulot ng masamang epekto sa hinaharap.”

She expressed hope that Hongkongers would continue fighting for the freedoms and security they now enjoy.

Several other people, including artist Martin Megino, also expressed solidarity with the protesters. “I am against the bill,” he said. “Pwede nga abusuhin yon pag nagkataon, especially against anti-China activists.” 
with interviews by Vir B. Lumicao
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Filipinos advised to stay away from protest areas

Posted on No comments

By Daisy CL Mandap
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An estimated 1M people took part in the rally on Sunday, Jun 9 (photo by Rodelia Villar)

The Philippine Consulate has advised Filipinos to stay away from areas where mass demonstrations against the proposed extradition bill are being held, primarily in the vicinity of the central government offices in Admiralty.

“Should our nationals find themselves among the crowds of protesters, they should exercise extreme caution and vigilance in order to keep themselves safe from any isolated act of violence that might occur,” said the advisory issued late on Jun 12.
The public is further advised that unless their need is urgent, they should consider rescheduling their consular transactions at the Consulate as it is located very near the demonstration trouble spots.

Filipino nationals are also advised to keep themselves updated with the security situation in Hong Kong through media reports.

Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre also posted an advisory, taking note of reports of more mass protests being planned for Sunday, Jun 16 and Monday, Jun 17.
He advised workers who need to go to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Wanchai to plan their routes well, and to avoid the MTR station in Admiralty, where most of the clashes between protesters and police occurred on Jun 12.
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Protesters camped out at the border of Admiralty and Wanchai late on Jun 12

His advice is for the workers to get off in Central and just walk towards United Centre in Admiralty if they need to go to the Consulate. If they plan to walk to POLO in Wanchai, they must take routes away from the Central Government complex on Harcourt Road in Admiralty.

Meanwhile, organizers have cancelled the Kalayaan 2019 event scheduled to be held on Chater Road, Central, this coming Sunday, Jun 16, for security reasons.

Image may contain: 6 people, people smiling, crowd and outdoor
First Sunday of the Independence Day celebrations on Chater Road

Leo Selomenio, chair of Global Alliance, said the organizing groups decided to call off the event in view of reports that another big mass action is being planned for Sunday.

“Ngayong gabi lang kami nag-usap usap na ipagpaliban muna para sa safety ng lahat,” Selomenio said.



The event is part of the month-long celebration on Chater Road of the 121st anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence.

Selomenio said the groups are hoping the situation will improve in the next few days so the next event planned for Jun 23 could go ahead.

The Independence Day shows are organized by the Consulate, the Philippine Association of Hong Kong, Global Alliance, Philippine Alliance and Federation of Luzon Active Groups.
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Protests mar Philippine Independence Day celebrations

Posted on 13 June 2019 No comments
By Daisy CL Mandap

Consul General Tony Morales and Deputy Commissioner Song at the traditional toast

For the first time since a diplomatic reception was held in Hong Kong 20 years ago to celebrate Philippine Independence Day, no top-ranking Hong Kong official was around to take part in this year’s festivity held last night, Jun 12, at the Conrad in Admiralty.

The invited guest of honor, Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng, sent regrets hours before the reception, and several others from government also cancelled at the last minute.

Most of the other guests came late, and only about a third of the expected crowd turned up.

The reception line 30 minutes after the start of the cocktail party
That’s because the venue of the celebration was right in the center of a massive, and at times, chaotic public protest, against the proposed extradition bill that could see accused people in Hong Kong being sent for trial in China.

Consul General Antonio A. Morales who hosted the reception, gave thanks to those who came despite the difficulties.

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“We really appreciate your presence, knowing the difficulty of accessing this place,” he said at the start of his speech.

“June 12 is really the day that we declared our independence. Unfortunately, our day of celebration coincided with the day of protests. But that is part and parcel of the democracy that we (won)."

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Congen Morales also thanked Hong Kong for providing Filipinos “the environment and opportunity to exercise their rights” before quipping: “They are politically involved here and I don’t know if they are affected by the political atmosphere in Hong Kong or they affected the political atmosphere in Hong Kong.”

For the traditional toast with the guest of honor, Congen Morales asked Song Ruan, deputy commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, to do the honors.

Officers and staff of the Consulate came in full force, but most had to walk to the reception in their finery

While guests in formal attire gathered inside Conrad’s ballroom, young protesters were massed in the adjoining Pacific Place mall, where they regrouped after being pushed back from the government complex by police armed with tear gas and rubber bullets.

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Some of the guests reported inhaling some of the fumes from the tear gas that seeped through the MTR’s vents as they made their way to the hotel, but they pushed on.

Many roads leading to the area had been blocked to prevent demonstrators from taking over more public space, so the only way to get there was via the MTR. But later that night, even that access was limited as the MTR station in Admiralty was shut down and Pacific Place shuttered to force the protesters out onto the streets.

The long walk from Conrad to Wanchai where public transports could be taken
Those who left the reception later than most found themselves either walking all the way to Wanchai in their formal clothes to get to the MTR, or hail taxis. The alternative was to walk up to Hong Kong Park, and then get out on Kennedy Road in Mid-Levels.

Walking towards Wanchai, guests including Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre were given a scare when protesters ran each time a siren sounded in the distance. The siren went off thrice during that brief period, sending people scampering, but it was apparently a false alarm each time.

Along the way, pedestrians were offered water bottles and snacks by demonstrators who turned up near the protest sites with vehicles full of provisions.

Earlier in the day, there were also fewer guest than usual at a breakfast gathering for Filipino community leaders at the Consulate, which is a stone's throw away from the government complex in Tamar where intermittent clashes between protesters and police took place throughout the day.

Many who came spoke of walking several blocks to get to the venue, or being forced to walk to the MTR as it was the only way to get there by public transportation.

In his message, Congen Morales thanked the community for taking an active part in the recent  overseas voting for mid-term election in the Philippines, and noted that Hong Kong again registered the highest turnout.

That, he said, showed the high level commitment of Filipinos in Hong Kong to taking an active role in how the country is run by its leaders.

He took the opportunity to announce that he will be heading back to Manila soon, and thanked  community leaders for helping make his stay in Hong in Hong Kong meaningful.

"Mami-miss ko ang Hong Kong, at ang inyong pakikipagkaibigan. Isang karangalan na makilala ko kayo at mapagsilbihihan ko kayo."

It was the same message he gave at the Independence Day cocktails, which he said he was attending for the second and last time. Congen thanked the Hong Kong government, members of the diplomatic corps, the Filipino community and other groups that helped him serve the post well.

He vowed to return to Hong Kong sometime after leaving, but joked that since he has friends in Immigration, he hoped he wouldn't be detained at the airport. This was in reference to former Philippine Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales who was barred entry recently, apparently in retaliation for her having sued Chinese President Xi Jinping at the International Criminal Court over the West Philippine Sea dispute.

On Sunday, the Filcom's annual public celebration of Independence Day on Chater Road was also slightly affected by the first day of protests, as the guest entertainers arrived later than expected in the afternoon due to heavy traffic in the area.

Luckily, the protest march that day which drew a record one million participants, started after lunch so the Chater festivity which started at 9am was disrupted only by heavy rain. But as soon as the program ended at 6pm, police moved in to close off the road to prevent rallyists occupying it as they did during the pro-democracy protests in 2014.
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Four Pinoys fined $800 each for illegal gambling

Posted on 11 June 2019 No comments

By Vir B. Lumicao
No photo description available.
The illegal gambling joint was run from a flat in this building

Four Filipino residents have pleaded guilty in Eastern Court to a charge of gambling, while a local Chinese man admitted operating the North Point gambling joint where they were all arrested last month.

Roger Bermudez, 43, and Judith Espiritu, 42, both bartenders; Roel Galanza, 36, delivery man, and Rommel Castillanes, 30, driver, all admitted a charge of “gambling  in a gambling establishment” when they appeared in court on Jun 11.

Lung Cheuk-ming, 30, unemployed, pleaded guilty to a charge of “operating a gambling establishment”.
The prosecutor said Bermudez, Galanza and Espiritu all had previous convictions for illegal gambling. But Castillanes had a clear record.

Magistrate Lam Tsz-kan ordered the four Filipino gamblers to pay a fine of $800 each while Lung was fined $20,000 for running the gambling joint.
The Filipinos were arrested while playing on arcade machines during a police raid on a 14th floor flat in Bank Tower in North Point at around 7pm on May 23. Lung, who lives in the flat, was also arrested.

The Hong Kong government bans any type of gambling in this city although it allows betting on horse racing, football and Mark Six lottery draws being held regularly by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to raise funds for charity.
Also exempted from the ban are mahjong parlors and other forms of social gambling.
licensed by the Home Affairs Bureau.

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