Banks safe from cyber threats

Despite glitches in two of the country’s biggest banks that affected depositors earlier this year, Philippine banks remain relatively safe from serious cybersecurity threats, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr.

Even then, the central bank chief said monetary authorities are not letting up on efforts to improve industry vigilance. “We are not seeing or we are not in the seat of serious [attacks],” Espenilla told reporters.

Last June, the Bank of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) had to take down its electronic banking channels after a system glitch — later attributed to human error — resulted in account mispostings.

A few days later, Security Bank reported transaction posting delays, which prompted the lender to extend banking hours.

Then, Banco de Oro followed when clients were hit by skimming attacks and the bank admitted that some of its automated teller machines had been “compromised”.

“[E]very day banks, even the BSP, are being attacked. But it’s also reflective of the quality of cybersecurity that these [attacks] are now being routinely repelled,” Espenilla said.

But then, Espenilla said monetary authorities could not be too cautious given the rising sophistication of cyberattacks. “That is why we always raise the level of vigilance of the whole industry,” he said.

BSP will soon issue regulations to clarify expectations on the role of banks’ boards and senior management with regard to security risk management, he said.

“This one actually strengthens the message that the board … should pay attention to cybersecurity because in our observation … [this] is left to the attention of technologists or [those] lower in the organization,” he said.

As cybersecurity is normally not embraced as part of a bank’s business strategy, Espenilla pointed out that management may not invest enough resources in this area.

Duterte-Trump talks to include Drugs, terrorism

When President Duterte meets with US President Donald Trump in Manila in mid-November, illegal drugs, terrorism, and trade relations between the Philippines and the United States will be high on the agenda, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

Duterte and Trump would have a bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit to be held in Manila on November 13 - 15.

“What’s the fundamental interest, intersecting interest of America and the Philippines? First is security…which includes terrorism and drugs, the threat of terrorism and illegal drugs. Secondly, trade. So if you have security but the people are hungry, it’s useless,” Cayetano said.

According to him, the Trump administration had pivoted on free trade, which could be an opening to a bilateral agreement with the Philippines.

“They’re negotiating many regional and multilateral trade agreements but there’s a possibility that we will explore a bilateral agreement,” he said.

The White House has announced that Trump would visit Manila on November 12 to 13 to participate in Asean meetings to be hosted by Duterte, chairman of the regional bloc this year. The White House said Trump would visit Manila as part of his Asian tour, which would also take him to China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the US state of Hawaii.

Trump’s schedule will allow him to attend the special gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of Asean and the Asean-US meeting, according to a DFA statement.

However, Trump will skip the East Asia Summit (EAS) on November 14 in Pampanga.

“The decision was really that he will be here on the 12th and 13th [of November]. We tried to accommodate. We tried to fix all the schedules. But since you’re dealing with more than a dozen world leaders plus the Asean, it’s very difficult to get all the schedules together,” Cayetano said.

“They were actually just waiting for the East Asia summit (schedule). Now that it has been finalized that the East Asia Summit will be on the 14th, it looks like his Secretary of State would be the one to attend,” he added, referring to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The EAS is composed of the 10 Asean countries Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam; and dialogue partners Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, US and Russia.

Anong suwerte ang hatid ng Nobyembre sa iyo?

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Babalik ang dating iniindang sakit- magpakonsulta agad. Hindi madali ang pakikipagrelasyon dahil pabago-bago ang isip mo. Baguhin ang pakikitungo sa magulang, matanda na sila upang bigyan pa ng alalahanin. Malaki ang pagnanasa mo na kumita ng malaki kaya kahit mahirap ay pilit mong kinakaya, at lalo ka lang gaganahan magtrabaho. Lucky numbers: 12, 25, 30 at 45.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Madali kang masasanay sa bagong trabaho o paligid kaya handa ka sa mga pagbabagong magaganap. Komportable ang pamumuhay pero baka magkaproblema sa mamanahin. Masaya rin ang love life ngayon. Iwasang maging diktador sa pamilya upang hindi ka kainisan. Huwag gaanong mag-alala sa problema sa kalusugan; magpagamot kung kinakailangan, pero huwag itong gawing dahilan para magmukmok. Lucky numbers: 9, 11, 28 at 31.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Matapang kang humarap sa problema, hahanapan mo ng solusyon ang lahat. Ang simpleng pagkikita ay maaring mauwi sa malalim na pagkakaibigan. Malaki ang tsansang magtagumpay sa larangang pinasukan mo. Matatag din ang pananalapi, singilin ang perang nararapat sa iyo. Huwag gatungan ang pagseselos ng karelasyon dahil baka lumala ang galit nito na maaaring humantong sa hiwalayan. Lucky numbers: 16, 33, 39 at 41.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96 
Balisa ka sa panahong ito; piliting kumalma. Ang trabaho ay puno ng tensyon at problema, subukang manahimik muna. Nagiging sunud-sunuran ka na lang sa iba; kumilos agad at gampanan ang responsibilidad . Naguguluhan ka sa likot ng mga anak, lalo na kung mga bata pa sila; bantayan silang mabuti upang makaiwas sa aksidente sa loob ng bahay. Lucky numbers:19, 26, 35 at 44.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97 
Malaking pagbabago sa love life, lalo na kung nagsimula ito sa pagkakaibigan na humantong sa pagmamahalan. Ikaw ang magiging sentro ng kaganapan sa tahanan, kaya magkakaroon ka ng dagdag na pribilehiyo. Huwag balewalain ang mga maliliit na bagay na nagpapasaya sa iyong pang araw-araw na buhay. Mag-ingat sa trangkaso sa panahon ngayon. Matatag ang negosyo, pero mag-ingat pa rin sa paghawak sa pera. Lucky numbers:12, 27, 35 at 40.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98 
Magkakaroon ka ng sapat na tapang at sigla upang harapin ang lahat. Huwag pagselosin ang kapartner dahil baka ikaw ang magsisi sa huli. Sa pamilya, iwasang husgahan ang lahat dahil sa pansariling kagustuhan. Maghinay-hinay sa gastusin upang makaiwas sa problema. Samantalahin ang panahong ito upang dumami pa ang kakilala at kaibigan na makakatulong at magbibigay sa iyo ng suporta balang araw.  Lucky numbers: 5, 19, 23 at 42.

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87 
Hindi ito ang tamang oras para makipag-usap tungkol sa negosyo dahil maikli ang pasensya mo. Isang magandang love affair ang posibleng mabuo sa linggong ito. Kung may asawa, may alitang magaganap, pero hindi naman lalala ang sitwasyon. Piliting pakalmahin ang sarili, abalahin ang sarili sa gawaing mawiwili ka. Matutustusan mo ng maayos ang pangangailangan ng mahal mo sa buhay kaya maayos ang relasyon. Lucky numbers: 15, 20, 29 at 31.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88 
Mabibigyan ng pansin ang iyong katangian at magbubunga ang pinagpaguran. Masaya ang pamilya, huwag nang balikan ang dating hidwaan. Iwasang makipag-kumpitensya sa asawa o kapartner. Bababa ang resistensya at sigla, kailangan mo ng pahinga. Matutukso kang mag-shopping; magsama ng taong malapit sa iyo na pwedeng magbigay ng payo o pumigil sa iyong pamimili. Lucky numbers: 8, 14, 25 at 30.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89 
Maaaliwalas na panahon para sa iyong love life, ang puso ay mapupuno ng saya. Ito na ang pagkakataon na makipagbati sa nakaalitang kapamilya, huwag hayaang tumagal pa ito. Huwag gaanong alalahanin ang mga problemang dumarating dahil kusa din itong maaayos. Kung naninigarilyo, dapat nang ihinto ito upang hindi lumala ang ubo at magkaroon pa ito ng kumplikasyon. Lucky numbers: 20, 28, 32 at 41.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Mahaharap sa problemang makakapekto ng husto sa iyo; makakaasa ka ng tulong mula sa mga kaibigan. Bagong simula sa pagkadiskubre ng mahalagang bagay tungkol sa sarili. Hindi magandang panahon upang pag-usapan ang tungkol sa mana. Makakilala ng bagong kaibigan sa mga paglalakbay. Ang gana sa pagkain ay depende sa gusto mong kainin. Samantalahin ang sipag mo ngayon upang ayusin ang bahay o gumawa ng proyekto upang mapaganda ang tirahan.  Lucky numbers: 19, 33, 34 at 36.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91 
Puno ka ng sigla kaya lahat ng nasa paligid mo ay matutuwa sa iyo. Masaya ang tahanan at kung matagal nang kasal, magandang ideya ang magkaroong muli ng honeymoon. Magtatagumpay ka sa pananahimik sa kabila ng paghahamon ng away ng kapitbahay. Mababalanse mo ng maayos ang mga gastusin. Hindi maiiwasan ang pagbabagong magaganap sa trabaho, mahirap man sa umpisa, mas makakabuti ito para sa lahat. Lucky numbers:  1, 22, 31 at 39.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Maging praktikal, huwag nang isulong ang isang ambisyosong bagay na mahirap magawa. Posibleng atakihin ng allergy, iwasan ang pagkaing maaring pagmulan nito gaya ng shellfish,  processed foods at malalansang pagkain. Mag-ingat sa pag-uwi nang mag-isa lalo na kung dis-oras ng gabi, at iwasan ang magugulong lugar. Magkakaroon ka ng atraksyon sa ibang lahi, pero kailangang harapin mo rin ang tsismis. Lucky numbers: 7, 13, 20 at 35.

Isabel Granada, hindi pa nagigising

Ni Johna Mandap-Acompanado

Comatose pa rin, pero stable na raw ang ang kalagayan ng aktres na si Isabel Granada,  mula nang mag-collapse at isugod sa ospital sa Doha, Qatar noong October 24. Ang sanhi ng kanyang kondisyon ay aneurysm, ang pagputok ng isang ugat na kadalasan ay nasa ulo. Ayon sa balita ng mga kaibigan ng aktres, nagkaroon pa ito ng cardiac arrest na lalong nagpalala sa kanyang sitwasyon.

Lumipad papuntang Qatar si Isabel noong October 18, kasama ang asawang si Arnel Principe-Cowley, dahil naimbitahan siya bilang speaker sa Philippine Trade Tourism Conference. Ginanap ang naturang event noong October 20 sa Shangri-La Doha, pero may dinaluhan pa siyang ibang events kung saan ay nag-present siya ng mga produktong kanyang ini-endorso. Nasa gitna siya ng pulong nang bigla siyang mag-collapse at mawalan ng malay kaya isinugod siya sa ospital.

Noong October 28 dumating sa Doha mula sa Pilipinas ang ina ng aktres na si Isabel Villarama, na kilala sa showbiz bilang Mommy Guapa, kasama ang nag-iisang anak ng aktres, na si Hubert Aguas, 14. Si Hubert ay anak niya sa dating asawang si Jericho Aguas, na ngayon ay kapartner ng dating Viva Hot Babe na si Jaycee Parker. Bago umalis ng Pilipinas, punong-puno ng hinagpis si Mommy Guapa sa sinapit ng kanyang kaisa-isang anak. Sana raw ay siya na lang ang nasa kalagayan ng anak, dahil matanda na siya. Hindi raw niya makakayanan kung mawala ang kanyang anak.

Dagsa ang nagbigay ng panalangin para kay Isabel mula nang ibalita ng kanyang mga kaibigan niyang sina Bianca Lapus, Chuckie Dreyfus at Robby Tarroza (na naninirahan na sa Amerika) ang kalagayan ng aktres, na dating miyembro ng That’s Entertainment. Galit na sinita ni Robby sa social media sina Vivian Velez, Christy Fermin at Jobert Sucaldito dahil sa maling pagbabalita ng mga ito na patay na si Isabel.

Marami ang nagulat sa biglaang pagkakasakit ni Isabel, 41, dahil kilala ito bilang isang health buff. Maalaga ito sa katawan at aktibo sa paglalaro ng sports gaya ng volleyball at badminton, kaya napanatili nito ang magandang pangangatawan at ganda ng mukha.

Nagkaroon ng special healing mass para kay Isabel noong October 28 ang Pinoy community sa isang simbahan sa Doha, na pinamunuan ng isang Pilipinong pari. Marami raw fans at supporters ng aktres ang dumalo at nakiisa sa asawa nitong si Arnel, upang ipagdasal na gumaling na sana si Isabel.

LIBRO NI MAINE, BEST SELLER
Certified bestseller ng National Bookstore ang kalalabas na libro ng phenomenal star na si Maine Mendoza, ang “Yup, I Am That Girl”. Wala pang isang linggo mula nang ilabas ito ay ubos agad ang mga kopya sa tatlong branches ng naturang book shop, kaya agad daw silang nagpa-imprenta muli ng mga kopya.

Noong Oct 26, nagkaroon ng book launching at signing si Maine sa Trinoma Activity Center. Dinagsa ito ng fans na madaling araw pa lang ay matiyagang pumila na upang makita ang kanilang idolo at mapirmahan ang kanilang mga kopya ng libro. Kaya naman hindi nagpaawat si Maine na pumirma hangga’t kaya niya, dahil sa pagtitiyaga ang mga fans. Sa halip na 300 lang ang pipirmahan, libo-libong aklat daw ang kanyang pinirmahan.

Sa mga nagkakalat ng tsismis na hindi naman siya talaga ang sumulat ng libro, nag-post si Maine sa kanyang Twitter account (na kamakailan lang uli niya niya in-activate):

“It is a dream for someone who writes to have her own book. I have been writing since 2011, and while some of you may think that I am “just” a blogger, you must know that bloggers– writers in general– put so much of themselves into what they do. Writing is a passion. And I may not be a good writer but I enjoy and love expressing myself through the written word. I want to share my experiences and ideas with people; in the hope that I can make a difference in someone’s life through my words. I want to inspire them the simplest way I could. And today might be just another day for some but not for me; today, another dream of mine will be fulfilled. I will be officially launching my book this afternoon and I couldn’t be prouder of the fact that I wrote everything in it. You’ll know some of my life’s little adventures (and misadventures too!).   #YupIAmThatGirl is an account of my life experiences and lessons, with pointers on the side, plus more info about me that you probably do not care about. Lol! I hope those who read my book will learn something from it, kung wala, ehhhhh.. sana meron! Ngayon palang nagpapasalamat na ako sa lahat ng bibili at shempre sa mga bumili na. And to the people who never fail to support me in everything I do, maraming salamat po! And to the Big Guy up there, thank you God, for giving me this chance to be one step closer to who I want to be. d’

Dahil sa tagumpay ng kanyang unang libro, balak ni Maine na sundan ito ng ng isang poetry book.

COGIE, HULI SA DROGA
Pinayagan nang makapag-piyansa ang actor na si Cogie Domingo matapos siyang mahuli at makulong, kasama ang tatlo niyang kasama, sa isang drug buy-bust operation ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) sa BF Homes sa Paranaque City noong October 27 ng gabi. Php200,000 ang inirekomendang piyansa ng actor, samantalang tig-Php100,000 naman ang bail ng dalawa pa niyang kasamang lalaki. Ang kasama nilang babae ay hindi pinayagang makapag-piyansa dahil siya ay pinaghihinalaang nagtutulak ng droga.

Ayon sa report ng PDEA, madalas nang nakikita ang actor sa Paranaque at Las Pinas upang bumili ng droga. Itinanggi ng aktor na kanya ang mga nakumpiskang droga at drug paraphernalia na nakuha sa kanyang kotse. Set –up lang daw ito, dahil kumakain lang sila ng hapunan nang dumating ang mga mga taga-PDEA. Hindi raw siya bumibili o gumagamit nito, at katunayan ay negative ang lumabas sa drug test sa kanya na sinagawa noong nakaraang taon. Handa rin daw siyang muling magpa-drug test upang mapatunayan ang kanyang sinasabi. Inamin naman niyang dati na siyang sumubok nito, pero matagal na panahon na daw iyon.

Ang ama ng aktor na si Atty. Rod Domingo ay humarap din sa press upang pabulaanan na nagda-drugs ang anak, at lalong hindi ito nagbebenta nito.

Unang napaulat na ang kasamang babae ni Cogie ay ang asawa niyang si Ria Sacasas, pero hindi raw ito kinasuhan dahil nasa kotse lang ito. Sa mga sumunod na balita ay hindi na nabanggit ang pangalan ng babae, at walang kumpirmasyon si Cogie na ang babaeng kasama niya ay ang asawa niya.

DONASYON PARA SA MARAWI
Humanga si Robin Padilla sa kabutihang loob nina Piolo Pascual at direktor Joyce Bernal nang mag-donate ang mga ito sa fund raising campaign niya upang matulungang makabangon ang mga kababayan sa Marawi. Isang milyong piso ang halaga ng tsekeng inabot ni Piolo at kalahating milyon naman ang kay direk Joyce, matapos silang makakubra sa kinita nila mula sa blockbuster movie nilang “Kita Kita”.

Sabi pa ni Robin: “Bihira ang mga taong may ganitong klaseng puso at pananampalataya. Hindi ko masabi na religious act ang ipinakita nila sa akin ngayong gabi ng ika-23 ng Oktubre 2017 sapagkat maraming religious na tao pero walang act na ganito. Pagkatapos na pagkatapos na makapaningil ng kanilang kinita sa pagiging mga producer ay hindi naisip ng dalawang ito na maggoodtime kaagad o magpakalunod sa celebration bagkus ang ginawa nila ay hinanap ako at kagyat nagdonate ng pera para sa pagpapatayo ng bahay sa Marawi.

“1million piso galing kay kapanalig na Piolo Pascual @piolo_pascual at 500 libong piso galing kay kapanalig joyce bernal @direkbinibini. Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong dalawa dahil hindi lamang tulong pinansyal ang nais ninyong ibahagi kundi maging ang inyong personal na serbisyo para sa pagpapalaganap ng Tindig Marawi sa bawat puso ng Pilipino.

Salihan mo ito

For Tinikling Lovers
The Tinikling Group of Migrants is in need of male/female performers with or without experience, no age limit. TGM performs mostly for the LCSD events. Interested person may contact Marie Velarde @ 67175379, Emz Bautista @ 98512804 and Rowena Solir @97331049.

Attention: Rugby enthusiasts
We, the Exiles Touch Rugby group, are inviting rugby enthusiasts to join the team. We practice every Sunday at the Happy Valley Pitch 8 from 5pm to 8pm.  For those interested please contact: Ghelai 65414432 whatsapp/sms or click like on Exiles HK facebook page

Wanted: softball players
The all-Filipina softball team is now open for tryouts. Those who are interested, especially those with prior experience in the game may contact Team Captain Don Gaborno at 5318-5113

An invitation to play volleyball
Calling sport-minded Filipinas who want to play volleyball. A team is being organized by a group led by Shane Key Gonzales to compete in upcoming volleyball leagues in Hong Kong. Interested parties may contact Shane at 54498080.

What's on where

FBC-HK 6th Anniversary Celebration
Nov 5, 11:00am-4pm, U-Banquet 5th Floor, Lee Theater Plaza, Causeway Bay. By invitation only. Contact: Jenny Gafate, 9854 9724

Cinema screening: The Helper Documentary 
Nov. 3, 7:50 pm (final screening), AMC Pacific Place. For ticket prices and other details check the FB Page, The Helper Documentary

La Vie En Rose 
A free 3-hour workshop with noted artist Rose Gisbert on the basics of acrylic painting, color mixing and brush techniques
Nov 12, 9m – 12nn, 2-5 pm (two sessions) PCG Gallery. Organized by: Pintura Circle and PCG. Admission and materials are free. Limited slots available. Priority to be given to those who were accepted to the earlier session on Oct 15 that got cancelled because of T8. Check Pintura Circle’s Facebook page for any updates, or to send a message

Sportsfest at Repulse Bay
Nov. 12, 8am onwards. Organized by Extremers and other group of hikers. For details call Jessie Quevedo @ 96116023.

Massage Therapy Graduation (Batches 21, 22 & 23)
Nov. 26, 1-4pm, PCG Conference Room. Organizer: United Migrants Entrepreneurship & Livelihood Association (Umela)-HK. For inquiries on how to join Umela’s training, call Maellen Lupera, 5535 2165; Opalyn Albidas, 61387357 and Emma Capal, 9859 5023

Simplicity. Power: Exhibit of traditional Cordillera Art
Dec. 1, 2017 – Feb. 4, 2018, University Museum and Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

2017 Migrants’ Health Matters
Dec 10, 10am-6pm. Kik Yeung Football Pitch, Kik Yeung, Yuen Long. Fun-filled community health day with free health information and basic screenings for migrant workers. Hosted by: PathFinders and Christian Action and sponsored by Operation Santa Claus. Participating groups: Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, Equal Opportunities Commission and many other migrant support groups. For details, contact PathFinders at Tel 5621 8329 or email infor@pathfinders.org.hk

Nagka-TB dahil sa kapupuyat

Isang katulong na Pilipina ang ginagamot ngayon sa isang isolation room ng Grantham Hospital sa Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, dahil sa sakit na tisis, o tuberculosis.

Inilipat si Warren B. sa nasabing pagamutan mula sa Queen Mary Hospital noong Okt 19, pagkatapos siyang suriin ng mga duktor at hindi pinayagang umuwi sa bahay ng amo. 

Dinala ng mga kapwa-OFW sa Queen Mary si Warren noong Okt 15 habang nakataas ang Typhoon Signal 8 sa Hong Kong sa kasagsagan ng bagyong Khanun dahil napansin nilang hinang-hina ito, namumutla at namamaga ang mga paa. Madalas din siyang umubo at pabalik-balik ang lagnat.

Bago siya isinugod ng mga kababayan sa ospital ay itinawag diumano nila sa assistance to nationals section ng Konsulado ang kalagayan ng Pilipina. Sinabihan sila umano ni ATN officer Danny Baldon na dalhin ang maysakit sa Queen Mary. 

Pagdating sa ospital, ipinailalim ng duktor ang pasyente sa iba’t ibang pagsusuri at maraming itinanong sa kanya. 

Sinabi ni Warren sa mga tumulong na malamang ay nagkasakit siya dahil palagiing kulang sa tulog. Ang pinakamaaga raw na pagtulog niya ay alas-11 sa gabi at madalas ay hanggang 2:30 ng madaling araw ay gising pa siya. Ayaw daw kasi ng amo na matulog siya nang hindi pa natatapos ang mga gawain niya. 

Dahil umano sa hirap na ang kanyang katawan ay nagsabi siya sa kanyang among babae noong Septembre na ayaw na niyang mag-renew ng kontrata.

Kinukunsulta niya ngayon sa mga nakakaalam kung may habol pa ba siyang kabayaran mula sa amo dahil malamang na ang sanhi ng kanyang sakit ay sobrang pagtatrabaho at kakulangan sa tulog. Wala naman daw iba pang dahilan ang kanyang pagkakaroon ng TB, na isang nakahahawang sakit. -- Merly T. Bunda

Bawal ang maghugas ng buhok

Si Jessa ay Ilongga na tubong-Dingle, Iloilo.  Sa unang amo niya sa Tsuen Wan ay wala siyang naging problema sa paliligo at paghuhugas ng katawan at buhok. Nakaapat na taon siya sa amo na hindi siya pinagbawalan sa paliligo. Kaya lang hindi na siya pinapirma ng panibagong kontrata dahil ayaw magbayad ang amo ng long service pay.

Bago umuwi sa Pilipinas ay nagpunta si Jessa sa agency at nagpa-interview.  Masuwerte naman siya at may pumirma agad sa kanya, kaya umuwi siya muna sa Iloilo at doon hinintay ang kanyang visa.

Pagbalik niya noong Set. 16 ay dumiretso siya sa tirahan ng kanyang bagong amo na isang government housing unit na may dalawang kuwarto at isang banyo. Simpleng pamilya ang kanyang bagong amo na isang matandang binata at tatatlo sila sa bahay, kabilang na ang ina ng amo.

Noong unang mga araw ay naglinis siya kaagad ng mga kabinet pero nag-text ang pamangkin ng kanyang amo na huwag galawin at linisin ang mga kuwarto ng kanyang tiyuhin at lola. Masyadong nakababagot tuloy ang kanyang araw dahil nakaupo lang siya palagi kapag walang kinakalikot.

Nagtext din ang pamangkin ng amo na may pamahiin pa umano ang kanyang lola na puwedeng maghugas ng katawan araw-araw pero hindi puwedeng maghugas ng buhok. Depende iyon sa buwan. Kaya ngayong Nobyembre, dalawang beses lang siya makakapaghugas ng buhok at minarkahan niya iyon sa kalendaryo at sa Disyembre ay tatlong beses lang.

Ang kanyang ginagawa habang natutulog ang kanyang lola sa hapon ay dali-daling pumapasok sa banyo para maligo at maghugas ng buhok. Ayon kay Jessa, kaunting tiis at tiyaga na lang dahil may kasungitan itong lola at wala naman siyang ginagawa sa buong maghapon.

Wala raw siyang napaglilibangan kundi ang kanyang cellphone at ang pagbabasa ng The SUN kapag hindi pa siya nauubusan ng kopya. Si Jessa ay 40 anyos at may isang anak na dalagang nasa ikaapat na taon sa BS Accountancy. N

ag-aaral ang kanyang anak sa Maynila dahil pumisan ito sa dalawang kuya ni Jessa na sa Cavite nakatira. Mag-isa lang siyang tumutustos sa pag-aaral ng kanyang kaisa-isang anak. --Merly T. Bunda

Saludo, kaibigan

Hindi nakilala ni Ben ang kanyang kaibigang Pakistani nang magkita sila kamakailan. Ang kaibigan niya ay naka Amerikana na may kurbata pa, at ang sapatos ay napakakintab. Ang hindi lang magarbo ay ang dala-dala nitong maleta na parang pang-sundalo.

Ang mas nakakapagtataka ay pinili pa ng kanyang kaibigan na mag-taxi papunta ng airport gayong napakakuripot nito. Paliwanag ng kanyang kaibigan, ayaw nitong ma-late sa kanyang flight pauwi sa kanilang bayan dahil ayaw niyang maghintay ang kanyang dalawang anak na dalaga, na ang isa ay ganap nang doktor, samantalang computer engineer naman ang pangalawa.

Matagumpay na naitaguyod ng kanyang kaibigan ang pag-aaral ng mga anak sa kakarampot nitong suweldo. Ang ipinagtataka ni Ben ay ayaw pa ring mag for good ang kaibigan na 65 taong gulang na, gayong maganda na ang buhay ng kanyang pamilya.

Sa isip ni Ben, marahil ay masipag lang talaga ito at alam na  hahanap-hanapin ang buhay nito sa Hong Kong ng ilang taon.

Kahit hindi sila magkalahi ay maganda ang samahan ng magkaibigan. Katunayan, si Ben pa ang nagturo sa Pakistani na gumawa ng Facebook account para makausap nito nang libre at palagian ang mga anak. Tuwing may problema ito sa computer o sa internet ay lagi ding si Ben ang takbuhan ng matanda.

Kaya noong nasa Pakistan na ito ay lagi nitong tinatawagan ang kaibigang Pinoy para mangumusta at sabihing nami-miss niya ito. Si Ben naman ay nami-miss din ang kaibigan dahil wala nang nagluluto ng kanyang paboritong ulam na may curry. Si Ben ay 42 taong gulang at tubong Cagayan Valley. – Marites Palma

OFW bashed online wrings apology from news portal

By Vir B. Lumicao

An angry Lindo got TNP to apologize publicly

An angry Filipina domestic helper who suffered severe bashing on Facebook after her photo with a blotted-out face was used by an online news site to accompany a post about an allegedly bigamous OFW has successfully forced the portal to apologize publicly.

Juliet Lindo, a 34-year-old single mother of two, sent a message early morning on Oct 31 to Manila-based Trending News Portal, demanding a public apology to repair her damaged reputation as a result of the misuse of her photo.

(TNP was identified by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines in June as a fake news site, using the Google Chrome plug-in Fakeblok. The extension notifies the user when a fake site appears on their Facebook feed, graying out the post and cautioning against clicking or sharing it).

Within hours of receiving Lindo’s complaint, TNP replied, informing her that the link to the damaging article had been deleted. But by then the story had already been shared repeatedly by other OFWs in Hong Kong who had recognized Lindo from the clothes she was wearing and bashed her, thinking she was the woman referred to in the story.

Lindo was not satisfied with the reply and insisted TNP must make a public apology “to clean up my name… and my reputation as a Helper’s Choice ambassador”.

Her message also carried a veiled threat to seek help from a hard-hitting radio-TV program in Manila.

TNP issued a public apology later that day on its website titled “Apology for the public”.

The offending photo

“TNP would like to issue its sincere apology to Ms Juliet Lindo, an OFW in Hong Kong  whose photo appeared in a preview of this article. We have deleted her blurred photo which we acquired from the Internet. We would like to clarify that she is in no way connected with this case. We do not have any intention to damage her image in any way. We are sincerely apologizing for those who are further affected by the misuse of her photo.”

The controversy was sparked by TNP posting a rehashed news report about a Filipina maid who pleaded guilty in a Hong Kong court to a charge of “signing a false notice for the purpose of procuring a marriage” to a local man 22 years ago. She had claimed she was a widow, but it turned out her original husband was still alive.

Unknown to Lindo, the post carrying her blurred picture had gone viral, garnering 6,400 likes and reactions, 794 comments and 1,000 shares.

Lindo told The SUN that since the recycled report appeared on the portal, she had received more than 500 private messages mostly bashing her for the report.

She learned only about the news when her goddaughter in Dubai sent her a private message early on Oct 31 with a screenshot of the article and asked about its veracity.

The OFW said even her own relatives were embarrassed at the news, thinking that it was she who got into trouble and brought shame to her family. She said she was thankful her two children are smart not to believe the story, and kept telling her to be strong.

Lindo said she parted ways with her husband 10 years ago and had since supported her son, 15, and daughter, 14, all by herself. For being an exemplary single mom, she said she was designated as an ambassador by the NGO, Helper’s Choice.

She said she is satisfied with TNP’s public apology, but with an admonition.

“Sa TNP, sana i-doublecheck nila ang news before going public because it’s not easy to fix the damage it can do to other people,” Lindo said.

She said she hopes her detractors got personal satisfaction from bashing her, as she thanked those who comforted her during her traumatic experience.

“As long as we know ourselves, we won’t be shaken by those malicious souls,” she said.

Lindo has worked in Hong Kong since 2006 and is about to finish her second contract with her current employer.

Sabit na makulit

Isa si Andy 48, Ilocano, sa mga drayber na hati ang tuwa at inis sa pamilyang Intsik na kanilang pinagsisilbihan. Lagi nitong sinasambit sa sarili na kung bakit sa dinami -dami ng mga employer sa Hong Kong ay ito pang maraming sabit na kapamilya ang natiyempuam niya.

Lagi daw kasing kaladkad ng mag-asawang amo ang kani-kanilang mga pamilya. Sa amo niyang lalaki ang laging nakabuntot ay ang ina at “kuche” nito o tiya. Sa babae naman ay ang mga ama’t ina nito.

Sa unang taon ni Andy sa amo ay laging nagbibiyahe ang mga ito, at madalas ay isa hanggang dalawang linggong wala sa Hong Kong. Laking ginhawa sana ito kay Andy dahil kahit may anak na dalaga na naiwan ang mag-asawa ay hindi naman ito ganoon ka-istrikto.

Ang kaso, kung minsan na relaxed na relaxed na siya dahil alam niyang wala siyang lakad ay biglang tatawag ang tatay ng among babae at magpapahatid sa doktor. “E di hinatid ko nga, aba e pinaghintay pa ako,”sabi ni Andy. Pagkatapos sa doktor, dadagdagan pa nito ng “Mkoy, hoy kaysi maysung” na ang ang ibig sabihin ay dadaan daw ito ng palengke.

Dagdag ni Andy, “Kung ikaw matutuwa ka ba? Aba, parang nakabili ng drayber. Hay naku, ubos ang kalahating araw, tapos aabutan ka lang ng $20, pambili daw ng Coke”.

Kinabukasan si kuchie naman ang nagsabi daw ng, “Andy sinabi ko na sa amo mong babae. Magpintura ka sa amin habang wala sila, libre ka naman,” sabi daw nito. Dito na nagpanting ang tenga ni Andy, at sinagot daw niya ito ng  “No, no, if you want I will take my day off, I will not paint..sorry.”

Dagdag pa niya, mas masahol pa ang nagiging sitwasyon niya kung wala ang mga amo dahil sa dami ng gustong ipagawa ng mga sabit. – George Manalansan

Avoid becoming trafficking victims—Labatt

Celebrating in Moscow the end of Muslims’ month of fasting: note the amounts of food of two groups: recruiters and their victims.

Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre says OFW jobseekers should have a questioning mind so that they don't become easy prey to human traffickers.

He gave the advice in an online post on Oct 29 as he pushed his crusade against illegal recruiters and human traffickers who have been targeting Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East for dubious jobs in Russia and elsewhere.

Nowadays, these traffickers are being emboldened by the use of social media like Facebook to “spread their tentacles across the globe”, Dela Torre said.

Labatt Dela Torre said human traffickers’ “effective business model” of recruiting vulnerable people and taking them to places “where institutions are weak or government positions are leveraged for personal gains” and abandon them or leave them on their own.

“These human traffickers keep the victims’ passports and continually put them under threat of violence, intimidation and denunciation to authorities,” the labor official said. “And (they) keep their victims on a leash to continue to fleece them.”

“Using Facebook as a communications, recruitment, payment and propaganda vehicle, (human traffickers) have used the popularity of this social networking app to spread their tentacles across the globe, and may even have links to terrorist groups,” he said.

Dela Torre said there are several ways for OFWs to help stop traffickers:
1) By spreading the word to your friends never to believe, much less allow yourselves, to be duped and recruited by these criminals;
2) Reporting to Facebook the messages of these criminals and their accomplices;
3) Inquiring from the authorities whether a recruitment going down in your community or neighbor is legitimate or not;
4) Reporting the crime to the nearest police authority;
5) Having been victimized and now overseas, denouncing the traffickers to our Embassy or Consulate;
6) Participating in campaigns against human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

Dela Torre said the success of human traffickers “depend very much on your credulity and your unquestioning willingness to believe.”

“The first essential step therefore is to just have a questioning frame of mind: is this legitimate or not? Is this good for me, or will it put me in harm’s way? Am I deciding on the basis of emotions, or am I using my rationality? Shouldn’t I consult with authorities first before making the jump? Isn’t the price I’m paying too much for the gain I’m expecting?”

He said illegal recruiters and human traffickers “rely on sweet promises and an aura of legitimacy to promote their business.”

“But you are smart enough to see through the pretence and the lies. You are intelligent enough to avoid them. You’re quick-thinking enough to act on your fears and suspicions. Stamp out human trafficking and illegal recruitment!” he said.

The labor attaché is currently leading a multi-territorial campaign to thwart a Moscow-based human trafficking syndicate led by a Pakistani-Filipino couple, Ahmed Sameer or Jon Meer on Facebook and his partner Kathleen Floresca Pimentel, that has recruited hundreds of OFWs to Russia.

These workers have paid at least US$3,500 to Meer for inexistent jobs, leaving the recruits jobless for months and buried in debt. Others who had gone out on their own have found part-time or full-time jobs but are working illegally using inappropriate visas.

Ngitngit ni Kulas

Isang araw inutusan si Peter ng kanyang amo (na palihim niyang tinatawag na Kulas) na i-unplug ang dalawa nitong wine cabinet at ilabas lahat ang mga alak. Gusto kasi ng amo na malinis ang loob ng mga cabinet na inaamag na.

Agad namang sumunod si Peter, at talagang pinag-igihan ang pagpupunas hindi lang sa mga cabinet, kundi pati sa mga alak din. Akmang ibabalik na niya ang mga bote nang makita niyang galit na galit si Kulas dahil sa nagkatuklap-tuklap at nasira ang label ng karamihan sa mga iniigatan nitong bote.

Dismayado naman si Peter dahil ingat na ingat pa naman daw siya sa paglilinis sa mga iyon. Sa edad kong 35 kasi ay ngayon lang ako nakahawag ng ganoon karaming mga bote ng alak, aniya.

Habang hinahaplos ni Kulas ang mga nasirang label ay sinabihan niya si Peter ng, “Next time if you cannot do it well, do not do it!” Napalunok muna si Peter bago nasabi ang “I’m sorry, Sir”.

Nasa puntong puro palatak ang namumutawi sa bibig ni Kulas nang dumating ang anak nitong dalaga na isang clinical psychologist. Sa mahinahong tinig ay sinabi nito sa ama na ginawa ni Peter ang kanyang makakaya, at hindi nito sinasadya ang pagkasira ng label sa mga alak.

Agad namang huminahon si Kulas. Laking pasasalamat naman ni Peter sa ginawang pagtatanggol sa kanya ng alaga, kahit na hiyang hiya siya sa nagawa.

Kahit pala Manilenyo siya ay marami pa rin siyang hindi alam sa buhay ng mga taga alta sosyedad– George Manalansan

Mag-ingat sa alupihan

Ni Merly T. Bunda

Noong Okt 6, bandang alas siyete medya ng umaga, habang naghanda ng almusal ng kanyang mga amo si Ella sa bahay nila sa Tseung Kwan O ay biglang gumapang sa kanyang paa ang isang alupihan at kinagat ang kanyang hinlalaki.

Napasigaw sa sakit si Ella, at maagap naman siyang sinaklolohan ng among Briton na kaagad pinatay ang alupihan.

Bagamat nasaktan ay hindi ito unang  pinansin ni Ella. Ngunit wala pang isang oras ay nakita niyang nangitim at namaga ang kanyang paa na kinagat.

Agad siyang isinugod ng amo sa emergency room ng Tseung Kwan O Hospital at nang malaman ng doktor na kinagat siya ng alupihan ay agad siyang tinurukan ng gamot kontra sa tetano. Binigyan din siya ng gamot para pantanggal ng sakit.

Pinagpalipas siya ng dalawang oras sa ospital  bago siya pinauwi. Pagdating sa bahay ng kanyang amo ay sumakit muli ang kanyang sugat dala ng kagat ng alupihan. Ayon kasi sa doktor, kung gaano daw kalaki ang kumagat na alupihan ay ganoon din katindi ang mararanasan niyang sakit.

Tatlong turok ang kailangan niya para masigurong hindi siya kakapitan ng tetano. Ang pangatlong injection ay sa Nob 3 pa niya kailangang balikan.

Gustong magbabala ni Ella sa mga kapwa kasambahay, lalo na iyong nakatira malapit sa mga halamanan, na ingatan na huwag makagat ng alupihan. Ayon daw sa doktor na tumingin sa kanya, hindi nalalayo sa ahas ang alupihan pagdating sa tindi ng kamandag nito, na nakalalason.

Si Ella, 33 taong gulang, ay tubong Cavite, may asawa at anak.

Philippine passports to be valid for 10 years from 2018

By Daisy CL Mandap

Screen grab from Cayetano's live announcement on FB

The validity of Philippine passports will be extended to 10 years starting Jan. 1, 2018, from the current five, at no additional cost. Only those who are under 18 years old will still be issued five-year passports.

This was announced live on Oct 25 by Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano through his Facebook account, as he signed the implementing rules and regulations of the new Philippine Passport Act.

Cayetano said the two-month grace period will allow the government to notify agencies abroad about the change in the passport’s validity.

He also said the passport cost will remain the same because the same booklet will be  issued, meaning, it will have the same number of pages and look.

This means that in the Philippines, the passport will still cost Php950 for regular processing or delivery within 15 working days (and P1,200 for express, or 7-days processing) and overseas, it will remain at US$60 ($480 in Hong Kong).

The announcement will likely appease overseas Filipino workers, including those in Hong Kong, who had warned against increasing the passport’s cost.

OFWs have long bewailed that the cost of the passport overseas is already 324 percent more than it does in the Philippines, adding to their economic burden.

Cayetano also announced that the appointment system will remain, except for certain categories of applicants who can just walk in, including senior citizens, persons with disability, OFWs and minor children with their parents and siblings.

In places like Hong Kong and London, he said an appointment system was necessary because most OFWs are able to go out only on Sundays, and they should have an assurance that they will be accommodated when they go to the Consulate to apply for a new passport.

On regular days when there are fewer people applying for passports, he said an appointment will not be necessary.

The new passport law was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last Aug. 2, but could not be implemented without the IRR.

About three million Filipinos reportedly apply for new passports, or renew the ones they already have, every year.

                                                                                                                                                                 

Pinoy seaman in shoe-soles cocaine case appears in court

By Vir B. Lumicao

Cocaine shaped as shoe soles

A drug trafficking case against a Filipino seafarer and his two Colombians contacts who allegedly smuggled into Hong Kong in June nearly 2 kilos of high-grade cocaine molded like shoe soles, will be turned over to the High Court, a Kowloon City magistrate said.                                                                                          Carlito Platon and his two co-defendants – Cristhian Enrique Posso and Jose William Uribe – were told on Oct 26 that their case will be moved to the High Court after laboratory tests showed the cocaine seized from them weighed 1.98 kilograms.

The prosecution dropped three charges of obstructing a customs officer against the defendants but amended the trafficking charge to increase the amount of cocaine involved from 1.33 kilos.

The suspects appeared in Kwun Tong court on Oct 26

Magistrate Peter Law set the next hearing of the case on Dec 4 in Eastern Court, where he said the suspects might be asked to make a plea, after which they will either stand trial or be sentenced at the High Court.

The magistrate told the defendants they could apply for legal aid for the High Court hearing.

Posso, through the defense lawyer, again applied for bail of $10,000, but Law denied the application, saying drug trafficking was a serious case, and that the defendant had no local ties.

Platon, 48, has not applied for bail since his arrest along with the two Colombians on Nathan Road in Yaumatei on June 2. Posso and Uribe both applied for bail in the previous hearing on Sept 28, but their requests were rejected.

The Filipino, a crew of a cargo vessel that had just docked at Kwai Chung, got off and met with the two unemployed Colombians allegedly to deliver two pairs of shoe soles, when Customs and police officers pounced on them. The cocaine was camouflaged as shoe soles.

   

Filipino mom arrested for abandoning baby boy

Queen's Road East, where the baby was abandoned 

A Filipina mother who left her one-year-old baby boy on a street in Wanchai on Oct 19 has been arrested for cruelty to a child, the police said.

But no formal charges had  been filed against the 39-year-old woman, whom she did not identify.

The suspect, identified by local newspapers as Angelita Labador, had been released on bail and told to report to Wanchai Police Station in mid-November, the officer said.

Labador is said to be living in Wanchai and unemployed, but the police could not say whether the mother is a domestic worker or a resident.

She said a 38-year-old female neighbor of Labador reported to the police after seeing her leave the boy on the pavement at 280 Queen’s Road East.

Police found the baby conscious at 6:49 pm and sent him to Ruttonjee Hospital for a check-up.

Officers later nabbed Labador, who was said to be hiding nearby.

Local newspaper reports said she was a jobless resident of the area who was allegedly booked for child abuse half a year ago. - VBL

DH admits stealing boss' jewelry worth $20k

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic worker pleaded guilty on Oct 25 in Kwun Tong Court to stealing more than $20,000 worth of jewelry from her female employer in Tseung Kwan O between July 2016 and Aug 26 this year.

Magistrate Do So convicted Angelina dela Rama, 46, and ordered her remanded in custody pending a background report from the probation office. He set sentencing for Nov 16.

“This is a serious case. You breached the trust placed by your employer in you. You will go to jail for a period of months or years depending on the background report,” So told Dela Rama, who dressed up for the hearing.

In mitigation, the defense counsel said Dela Rama has a husband, a son, and a sick mother in the Philippines. She stole the jewelry because she needed money for her mother’s medication and her son’s university education, the lawyer said.

The prosecution said the helper was arrested on Aug 27 after her employer, Chan Wai-fong, reported the theft of two gold bangles and three gold necklaces that she kept in an unlocked drawer in her bedroom at her parents’ flat in Kin Ming Estate, Tseung Kwan O.

The stolen items were worth a total of $20,254.                                                                              

A prosecution report said Chan, 30, kept the jewelry in her parents’ flat when she married in 2015 and moved with her husband into a flat in Tsui Wan Estate, Chai Wan. She hired Dela Rama as domestic helper in March 2016.

Since July last year, she and Dela Rama had been visiting Chan’s parents in Tseung Kwan O every weekend. After dinner, Chan would send the maid back to Chai Wan hile she stayed overnight with her parents.

On the night of Aug 26, Chan again visited her parents with Dela Rama, and after dinner, the maid was sent back to Chai Wan as before. The employer checked her jewelry later that evening and noticed that the two gold bangles were missing from the drawer.

Chan suspected the maid took the jewelry so she went to Chai Wan the next morning and searched Dela Rama’s bag as she got out of the lift lobby to take her day off.  The employer found one gold bangle in the maid’s bag and called the police.                                                                                     

A police search of the maid’s belongings yielded five other pieces of Chan’s jewelry. Dela Rama was arrested on Aug. 28 and she appeared in Kwun Tong court the next day, charged with  two counts of theft.

Pinoy jailed 21 days for indecent assault

By Vir B. Lumicao

The sentencing at Eastern court followed a day-long hearing

A 45-year-old Filipino carwash worker was sentenced to 21 days in jail on Oct 24 for indecent assault at the end of a day-long trial at Eastern Court.

Billy Vega, married Hong Kong resident and father of four, was dumbfounded after Magistrate Peter Hui pronounced his sentence.

“Ano, makukulong ako?” he asked his Filipina interpreter then handed over a set of keys and his cellphone to his wife before being led away by guards.

Vega’s conviction came after the alleged victim, a local woman identified only as Miss X, gave evidence detailing the incident on July 28 this year aboard a Chai Wan-bound MTR train at Wanchai Station.

Miss X, who came from Wong Tai Sin, said she was on her way to Causeway Bay and changed trains at Admiralty. On entering the train, she stood near the door tinkering with her mobile phone.

The incident happened after the victim got on
the train at Admiralty station 

“Then I felt something hard bumping my (private part) and I felt pain. It lasted for about 3 seconds,” the victim said in Cantonese.

When she looked down, she said she saw Vega’s right fist with his palm facing upward thrusting at her private parts. She said she stepped back and accosted the defendant in Cantonese, asking him three or four times why he touched her.

But the defendant simply looked at her and did not answer, she said.      

“If you don’t answer, I will press the emergency button,” she allegedly told Vega, who remained silent. She pressed the red button when the train had left Tin Hau Station, and by the time they
arrived at Fortress Hill Station, MTR staff were waiting for them.

Vega was arrested on the same day and charged with one count of indecent assault. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, so the case went to trial.

Hui said in his reasons for verdict that he believed the testimony of Miss X, the lone prosecution witness who gave her evidence behind a makeshift synthetic board cover. The magistrate described the victim as an honest and credible witness.

He also noted that the defense counsel had claimed the incident was purely accidental, suggesting that the defendant was pushed from behind by another passenger on the train, causing him to lurch and touch the victim accidentally.

But Hui said the assault happened at around 10:40 am, when the train was not packed.

Hui also said the defense did not provide proof that the physical contact with Miss X was unintentional, and elected not to take the witness stand.

High Court opens trial of 4 alleged Filipina 'drug mules'

By Vir B. Lumicao

The cocaine was found inside the hidden compartment of a hand-carried bag

Four Filipinas pleaded not guilty to conspiring to traffic dangerous drugs as their case opened before a jury at the High Court today, Oct. 20.

Two of the defendants – Shirley Chua and Maricel Thomas –also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of “trafficking in a dangerous drug” before Justice Audrey Campbell-Moffat of the Court of First Instance.

Chua and Thomas were arrested at Hong Kong airport on Sept 25, 2015 on arrival from Manila, for allegedly carrying almost 2 kilos of cocaine hidden in secret compartments of their hand-carried luggage. The drug was valued at about $2.5 million.

Their traveling companions, Remelyn Roque and Ana Louella Creus, were nabbed two days later when they returned to the airport for a flight back to Manila after allegedly delivering also about 2 kilos of cocaine to two men in Chung King Mansions, Tsimshatsui.

The start of the 15-day trial was marked by one prosecution witness saying Hong Kong’s Customs officers are wary of Filipino visitors as they come from a “high-risk” country. 

The witness, Lo Wai-hing, was one of two customs officers at the airport who inspected the bags of Chua and Thomas and arrested the pair.

The cocaine slabs found inside the bag

Asked by defense lawyer Kevin Egan what led the officer to select the two for the random baggage checking, Lo said it was because the visitors were from a “high-risk” country for drug trafficking.

He also said that the defendants did not look like the domestic workers who pass through the airport every day.

Next to give evidence was another customs officer Yang Haiyan, who said he saw Lo intercept Chua and Thomas and seize their green and black hand-carried luggage.

Yang said it was he who inspected and discovered the four slabs of cocaine hidden in secret compartments of their bags.

The green luggage and two slabs of cocaine it concealed were presented in court and inspected by Moffat, the defense lawyers as well as the jury members.

The hearing continues.