Macau policewoman and boyfriend arrested over death of FDH

Macau police lead suspects away (Macau Daily Times photo)

Macau police have disclosed the arrest of a female police officer and her boyfriend, for allegedly detaining their foreign domestic helper and tormenting her for hours, forcing her to jump from a bathroom window on April 29.

A report in the Macau Daily Times earlier Friday, July 12, said the 36-year-old policewoman and her 34-year-old boyfriend who works as a tour guide, were being held on charges of unlawful detention, grave coercion and improper confiscation of documents.

Police investigators said the officer has been suspended from duty and a criminal investigation and disciplinary procedures have been initiated.

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The police said the incident which took place in the Areia Preta area started when the couple suspected that their helper had stolen MOP60,000 in red packets from them. When the helper returned home, the two interrogated her from 11pm to 2am the next day.

Under hours of relentless questioning the helper admitted the alleged theft. The couple then confiscated the helper’s passport and mobile phone to prevent her from leaving. They also tied up her hands with transparent tape and resumed their interrogation for three more hours, demanding she tell them how to solve the issue.

The victim managed to take refuge in the bathroom where she attempted to cut herself free with scissors but she was restrained.

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At around 8am, the maid once again fled to the bathroom, locked the door and jumped off the window.

A forensic examination did not find any signs of assault on the deceased, and the couple told investigators the maid had jumped to her death after her theft of the $60,000 in lai see money was uncovered.

But further investigation revealed what had really taken place before the helper jumped to her death.

The chief investigator said at a news conference that the hours of interrogation and other means used by the couple to put pressure on the helper had forced her to commit suicide.

Under Article 238 of Macau’s Criminal Procedure Act, private individuals are prohibited from taking the law into their hands and unlawfully detaining suspects.  

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DH jailed 6 months for stealing jewelry worth $53K

 

The Causeway Bay building where the offense was committed (Google Map photo)

A domestic helper was jailed for six months today after she admitted at Eastern Court that she stole jewelry from her employer and was caught because of the pawnshop receipts found in her possession.

The lawyer defending Eden Celedonio, 46 years old, said she committed the offense because she needed to raise money for her father’s kidney surgery. The lawyer added that the defendant has a husband and two children in the Philippines and was the sole breadwinner.

But Principal Magistrate Don So brushed off the lawyer’s bid to lighten her penalty, saying she betrayed her employer’s trust.

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Thus, he did not give her the usual one-third discount for her guity plea.

Celedonio was convicted of stealing 15 pieces of jewelry worth a total of $53,092 from her employer’s flat in Causeway Bay between October and December 2023.

Earlier, the prosecutors dropped an additional theft charge for stealing one gold ring and a pair of earrings worth $500 whose ownership was unknown. The charge was also based on pawnshop receipts found in her possession.

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Meanwhile, two other domestic helpers also appeared for theft in separates courts.

Elizabeth Estabaya, aged 38, pleaded not guilty in Tuen Mun Court to stealing cash of $44,490 from her employer in Castle Peak, New Territories, between May 2 and May 12 this year.

Her trial was scheduled for Sept. 4-9. She was released on $300 bail.

The theft case in the Kowloon City Court against Gracelyn Simere, 41, was adjourned for Aug. 29. She was returned to jail custody until then.

She faces two charges, one arising from the theft of one gold necklace worth $22,749 on March 23, and the other on the theft of one pair of gold earrings and two gold bracelets $worth 23,000 on April 28.

The jewelry was allegedly stolen from her employer’s home in Hung Hom, Kowloon. 

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OEC integrated into enhanced e-Travel, Customs says

The enhanced e-Travel is meant to ease airport queues and make traveling stress-free

Traveling in and out of the Philippines has never been easier, even for overseas Filipino workers.

In a news release issued Thursday, the Bureau of Customs said it has partnered with various government departments to launch an enhanced version of the eTravel system which will result in a single QR code being used by travelers in dealing with different government agencies.

This includes the code taking the place of the overseas employment certificate which all OFWs are required to secure from the DMW and produce at the airport to be able to leave the country for their workplace abroad.

However, no date was mentioned as to when the simplified e-Travel system will take effect, or details as to whether an OFW can register directly with the e-Travel platform instead of the DMW app or website.

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According to the BOC press release, the single QR code can be used as clearance not just with the DMW but also for the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Quarantine,  and Tourism.

It was made possible through the cooperation between the government agencies and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

"This allows for a more seamless clearance process, minimizing wait times, and reducing the need for multiple forms and checkpoints," the BOC stated.

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The improved system not only benefits those who are traveling by plane, but also those who enter and leave the country at seaports and cruise terminals.

Earlier, the E-travel pass incorporated the customs baggage and currency declaration form.

The BOC added that the system "advances inter-agency coordination by enabling real-time data sharing and enhancing the monitoring of travel flows."

"This improved data integration supports national security measures and aids in public health risk management by ensuring timely and accurate information for all relevant authorities," the office said.

The e-Travel system was first launched by the DICT in December 2022 to make traveling in and out of the country a lot easier and faster, and ease airport congestion.

Travelers need only to fill out the e-Travel form online within three days of arriving or leaving the Philippines to comply with the requirements for border control, health surveillance and data analysis.

To secure the e-Travel pass and QR code for free, sign up here: https://etravel.gov.ph/

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Filipino tourist jailed for illegal importation of 63 live turtles

 

The critically endangered turtles were found inside the Filipino's luggage

A Filipino tourist who allegedly brought into Hong Kong 63 critically endangered turtles, was back in West Kowloon Magistracy on Thursday, to face three amended charges.

Dexter V. Tabora, 37 years old, was told that his case will be elevated to the District Court at the next hearing on August 1. He was remanded in jail until then.

Tabora was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on March 31, after the endangered turtles were allegedly found in his possession.

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According to a press release from the Customs and Excise Department, Tabora arrived in Hong Kong from Malaysia and was in transit to the Philippines when he was arrested after 63 live turtles were found in his baggage. The endangered species were estimated to have a market value of about $819,000.

The first charge against him is for importing 49 live radiated tortoise, which are classified as Appendix 1 species, in violation of section 5(1) and (3) of Cap 586, otherwise known as the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.

The species is native to Madagascar where its meat is highly prized. It is also highly valued in illegal pet markets abroad.

The second charge against Tabora is over the alleged discovery of 14 live painted batagur or terrapin in his baggage, classified as an Appendix II species, which is a violation of Section 11(1) of Cap. 586.

Both charges carry a maximum penalty of $10 million in fines and a prison term of up to 10 years.

The third is a charge of cruelty to animals, contrary to section 3(1) (g) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, Cap. 169.

The turtles were all taped up before being packed into the luggage

The particulars of the charge said Tabor brought into Hong Kong the 63 live turtles, “in a way which might cause them needless or avoidable suffering.”

Photos shown in the Customs press release showed the turtles wrapped up in masking tape and plastic with only their heads exposed.

This offence is punishable with up to $200,000 in  fines and three years in prison.

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Mandatory reporting of child abuse by professionals passed into law

 

Sexual abuse of children ranks high in the number of cases reported each year

Hong Kong lawmakers have passed a new law requiring members of 25 professions, including doctors and teachers, to report suspected child abuse or be prosecuted and face a fine of up to $50,000 and a maximum jail term of three months.

The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Bill was passed by the Legislative Council after its second and third readings earlier today.

The bill was introduced last year following a sharp rise in the number of reported child abuse cases compared with 2022. For the entire 2023, the Social Welfare Department logged a total of 1,457 newly registered child protection cases, or those involving childred aged 18 and below, who were maltreated or were at risk of mistreatment. 

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Seventy-nine lawmakers voted in favour of the new law, with no opposing votes and one abstention.

“The passage of this legislation has marked an important step for us to expand our child protection net, as we will have more than 100,000 professionals working with us to protect our children,” Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said.

Sun said the bill would come into effect 18 months after its publication in the Official Gazette.

He said the government would make use of the interim period to provide training to the affected medical and health care professionals who are required to make mandatory reporting under the law.

 “We're also at the same time putting in place additional facilities and homes to cater for the increasing cases of reporting. And also, we're going to step up our efforts in terms of promotion and publicity, and make sure that we all work together for the welfare and betterment of our children.”

Among those required to report suspected child abuse cases are social workers, child care workers or supervisors, superintendents of residential child care service units, teachers, wardens of boarding schools, nurses, doctors, dentists, dental hygienists, Chinese medicine practitioners, occupational therapists, medical laboratory technicians, radiographers, optometrists, pharmacists, midwives, chiropractors, speech therapists, audiologists, dietitians and clinical and educational psychologists.

Domestic workers are not included, but like any other member of the public who are privy to an abuse being committed, are enjoined to report any such cases to the Social Welfare Department by calling its hotline, 2343 2255, or the police.    

Among the acts or omissions constituting child abuse that should be reported are the following: 1) inflicting injury on the child by violent means; 2) forcing or enticing the child to take part in any sexual activity, (3) intimidating, terrifying or denigrating the child in a severe manner of repetitively such that the child’s psychological health is endangered or impaired, and (4) severely or repeatedly neglecting the child’s basic needs to the detriment of the child’s health and development

The penalty mechanism also applies to those who inhibit or obstruct the reporting process, or disclose the identity of the professionals who made reports.

During the Legco debate, legislator Michael Tien proposed raising the maximum sentence of violators from three months to one year, saying the current legislation has little deterrent effect.

However his fellow legislators warned  harsher penalty could lead to false or excessive reporting out of fear of breaching the law.

Sun agreed, saying the penalty level is at part with other mandatory reporting laws such as those in cases involving drug trafficking, terrorism and organized crime.

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8 food delivery riders arrested for alleged illegal work

 

One of the arrested riders is taken away, along with his bike

Eight food delivery couriers were among 11 people arrested in a series of anti-illegal work operations carried out by Immigration and Labour task force officers for three consecutive days starting on Monday until earlier today, Wednesday.

An Immigration press release did not provide details about the riders, said to be aged between 20 and 45, but some news reports said five of them are Bangladeshis and three are Indians. All are non-refoulement claimants which prohibit them from taking up work, paid or unpaid, in Hong Kong.

In addition, three of them were suspected of using electric bikes for deliveries, which is in violation of traffic regulations. Immigration said it will refer the cases to relevant authorities for further investigation.

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Also arrested were three local residents, one man and two women aged 19 to 45, who are suspected of selling or renting out their food delivery courier accounts to the illegal workers.

They were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud delivery platforms and of aiding and abetting the illegal workers.

Investigations reportedly revealed that the three suspected abettors had been renting out their courier accounts for up to nine months, at around $3,000 per month.

One of the 3 residents who allegedly rented out their courier accounts to the riders

Immigration said that while delivery platforms require deliverymen to register using their Hong Kong identity cars, the verification process has not been strict enough.

Since January this year Immigration has arrested 13 illegal workers in the delivery sector, all of them South Asian, as a result of multiple enforcement actions.

As a result, government enforcers urged three delivery platforms to strengthen identity verification measures by adopting facial recognition systems and multi-factor authentication.

Immigration warned that anyone found working illegally can be fined up to $50,000 and jailed a maximum of two years. The jail term rises to three years if the offender is an illegal immigrant, is subject to a removal or deportation order, or an overstayer.

Aiders and abettors are also liable to arrest and prosecution. 

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2 more DHs face trial for money laundering

 

Kwun Tong Law Courts Building

Two domestic helpers whose bank accounts were allegedly used to deposit money raised from crime, which then became “clean” when withdrawn, are headed for trial at Kwun Tong court after they reaffirmed their not-guilty plea in separate hearings today.

Josephine Calabroso, 58 years old, pleaded not guilty to dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offense, otherwise known as money laundering and a violation of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

The charge arose from the deposits and withdrawals totalling $1,025,366.26 that were made in her HSBC account between Aug. 25 and Nov. 30, 2020.

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Chief Magistrate So Wai-tak scheduled a pre-trial review for Sept. 3.

He released Calabroso on bail of $3,000.

Ma. Angie Nequinto, aged 53, had her own pre-trial review today, with the prosecution saying they plan to rely mostly on the agreed facts to seek her conviction while her defense lawyer said their plan boils down to explaining these facts.

The charge arose from the inflow and outflow of $868,704.52 in her Hang Seng Bank account between Sept. 23 and Dec. 28, 2019.

The police complaint charged that she did the offense with the assistance of a female only identified as Zeny.

Magistrate So scheduled a one-day trial fr Sept. 23.

He released her on bail of $1,500.

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Filipino fleeing creditor fails to get review of asylum rejection

 

The decision was handed down at the High Court (Google Maps photo)

A Filipino who fled to Hong Kong to escape a creditor he did not pay back in the Philippines and then overstayed from Feb. 28, 2015, has failed to convince the High Court to review the disapproval of his application for protection against forced return to the Philippines.

“The Court will not usurp the fact-finding power vested in the Director (of Immigration) and the (Torture Claims Appeal) Board,” according to the Court of First Instance decision ordered by Deputy High Court Judge K.W. Lung and released today.

Joel Juniller, 49 years old, claimed that he was a street vendor when he met a woman who convinced him to open a store with her as his partner. She introduced him to a creditor who lent him cash to start with.

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After he turned over the loan proceeds to his partner, she disappeared. Unable to pay and back on the street, he was approached by the creditor and a man who pointed a gun at his neck and warned that he would be killed if he did not pay in three months.

Juniller said he fled in fear to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, before ending up as a visitor in Hong Kong on Feb. 26, 2015 and was given four days to stay. Having overstayed, he surrendered to the Immigration Department on March 11, 2015 and made a non-refoulement claim the same day.  

The Immigration director rejected his application three years later, on March 19, 2018, saying that his reason for applying for asylum does not meet the requirements of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.

He appealed to the Board but it affirmed, without holding a hearing, the earlier decision and described his case as “purely a private money dispute with no state involvement.”

Appealing to the CFI, Juniller said the rulings should be reviewed because he was not given a hearing by the Board nor was he advised to submit written submissions, and that the “lack of credible source of information has resulted in them making groundless speculations that it is safe for him to return back to his country.”

But the court decision, signed by M.O. Wong for the High Court registrar, asserted: “The Board was entitled to make such finding.”

It also noted that the court itself granted his request for a hearing, but Juniller did not show up on the hearing date of May 6, 2014.

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IBP lawyers return to HK

 

Poster for the free legal consultation

For the first time since the pandemic, a team of lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines will hold a free legal consultation with Filipinos in Hong Kong this coming Sunday, July 14, from 9am to 12 noon.

Six lawyers from IBP-Makati will provide one-on-one consultation to 100 clients on a first come-first served basis. No prior booking is necessary. Those who need to consult will have to drop in at the venue as early as possible.

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The meetings will be held in Room 2902, the training room of the Migrant Workers’ Office on the 29^th floor of United Centre Building in Admiralty.

‘Idulog Mo Kay Atorni’, formerly known as ‘Idulog Mo sa IBP,” is a yearly legal clinic project of the Philippine Consulate General and IBP that was halted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Doraemon Drone Show back on July 20

 

The first Doraemon show was such a big hit that a restaging has been set

Close on the heels of the highly successful staging of the first Doraemon Drone Show in Hong Kong last May, the organizers, All Rights Reserved and Fujiko Pro, has announced that the light spectacle will be held again.

According to the group, the second show will be staged by the harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui East on at 7:30pm on July 20, weather permitting. The best way to get there is to take the East TST line and get out of exit J2.

This time around, the 1,000 drones used for the show will be formed into a variety of classic Doraemon scenes and shapes.

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Anticipating another surge of visitors like what happened in the first show, part of Avenue of the Stars where it was originally held, will be transformed into different free outdoor exhibition areas, and there will be one-way crowd control. Thus, the second show will be moved closer to the tourist path.

Other details will be announced closer to the event, and will depend on the expected weather for the day.

Ahead of the second drone show, a special touring exhibition, “100% Doraemon & Friends” will be launched on July 13. This will include the world’s tallest 12-meter Doraemon inflatable sculpture, along with an exhibition area that will be open to the public.

But to enter, one needs to make reservation online starting on Tuesday, July 9 as there will be no queuing for on-site admission.

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