Eala eliminated in doubles, starts campaign to top HK Open

 

Alex about to unleash one of her powerful shots

Alex Eala crashed out from the doubles tournament at the opening of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open today in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, to the dismay of hundreds of her Filipino fans who trooped to the venue to watch her play.

The 20-year-old Eala lost with her partner from Taiwan Chan Hao-ching, to the Russian pair of Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Kamilla Rakhimova, 6-3- 6-1, 10-7.

But Eala said at a press conference after the game that the loss was a blessing in disguise at it frees her of some pressure once she starts her singles campaign tomorrow (Tuesday) against Katie Boulter of the United Kingdom.

Alex and Hao-ching are still all smiles at a press conference despite their loss

“I'm hungry for one last hurrah,” she told a post-game press conference, noting that the Hong kong Open was her last tournament for the year.

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Eala and Chan easily won the first set after they took turns guarding the net, surprising the Russian pair with sharp volleys amid the loud cheers of the crowd, many of whom flew in from the Philippines to watch the tournament.

The tide turned in the second set, however, as Rakhimova and Sasnovich raced to a 5-0 lead behind Rakhimova’s sniping from the net and serve aimed at Chan, before both sides scored a point each.

The trend continued in the tiebreaker, with the Russians mounting a 6-2 lead, before closing the game at 10-6.

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The Russians advance to the second round against Moyuki Uchijima of Japan and Sabrina Santamaria of the US on Oct. 30.

Despite the loss, Eala was clearly the darling of the crowd, with fans waiting outside screaming as she left the court. She stopped and autographed hats and balls. 

Alex Eala (in red shoes) autographs fans' caps and balls after the game.

She and Chan were later called to the press room for an interview. 

Some of the Filipinos who watched today’s games, which were free today, had booked hotel rooms and tournament tickets until Nov. 2, hoping to watch Eala survive the eliminations and fight for the championship trophy on the final day.

One of Alex's many fans who flew in from the Philippines
hangs by the exit for a chance to have her autograph 

8 Mainlanders accused of laundering HK$255M in total

 

File photo from HK Monetary Authority

Filipinos who have landed in jail for money laundering, may be among the owners of bank accounts allegedly used by a group of mainland Chinese to launder a total of about HK$255 million.

The eight mainland men  appeared at Eastern Court last Wednesday (Oct. 22), charged with "conspiracy to deal with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable crime." All of them are accused of conspiring with “people unknown” in handling millions of dollars through multiple bank accounts in Hong Kong, despite not having permanent addresses here.

With the big amounts involved in the case, the case would most likely be elevated to higher courts, and may take time to resolve because of the complexity of proving their alleged violations of sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance and sectons 159A and 159c of the Crimes Ordinance.

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The first defendant, Ma Zhiwei, 37 years old and unemployed, was accused of conspiring “together with a person unknown” in handling between Oct. 30, 2023 and Feb. 1, 2024 a total of HK$71,918,900.86. which “represented any person's proceeds of an indictable offence,” according to information fied by police.

The "dirty" money was deposited into the bank accounts with these numbers: 881026650285 at ZA Bank Limited, 33902902170 at ANT Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, 29083482261 at Standard Chartered Hong Kong Limited, 04347710951399 at Nanyang Commercial Bank Limited, 149772568833 at The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, 973064488888 at Hang Seng Bank Limited, and 0052746399 at Citibank Hong Kong Limited.

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All the funds that went into these accounts were found to have drained into Ma’s own China Construction Bank (Asia) Limited account numbered 000402698845.

The second defendant, Liu Jiacheng, a 29-year-old salesman, was accused of handling between Jan. 11 and March 2, 2024 a total of HK$41,611,191.51 deposited into accounts numbered 888013606960 at ZA Bank Limited, 01272120260902 at Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, 04347211305853 at Nanyang Commercial Bank Limited, and 388756097313331 at Livi Bank Limited.

The funds were drained into Liu’s Ant Bank (Hong Kong) Limited account numbered 33034532853, the police alleged.

The third defendant, Wang Kai, 37 years old and unemployed, was accused of handling HK$44,346,176  in crime funds deposited from Jan. 18 2024 too March 5, 2024 into bank accounts numbered 881013635723 at ZA Bank Limited, 33226554061 at ANT Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, and 01258620581299 at Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited.

These deposits were drained into 04347710955252 at Nanyang Commercial Bank Limited, account held Wang’s name, the police said.

The fourth defendant was Tao Chenfu, 37 years old and unemployed, who handled a total of HK$25,900,000, “in whole or in part directly or indirectly represented any person's proceeds of an indictable offence,” the police comlaint said.

Tao was accused of handing the funds between April 2023 and February 2024.

The fifth defendant Wang Jun, 33 years old and unemployed, was accused of handling HK$23,276,647.43 in crime funds between Jan. 17 and March 11, 2024 through bank account numbered 885013672717 at ZA Bank Limited, and through 33081448193 at Ant Bank (Hong Kong) Limited which was in his name.

Yang Chenen, a 42-year-old businessman, was the sixth accused of conspiring with a person unknown in handling a total of HK$17,000,059.66 between Dec. 23, 2023 and Feb. 21, 2024 through deposits into bank accounts numbered 369840202888 at Hang Seng Bank Limited, and his own account numbered 149007999833 at The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited.

The seventh accused, Yao Xinlei, a 36-year-old salesman, was charged with handling HK$42,634,318.96  between the Nov. 1, 2023 and March 13. 2024 in conspiracy with a person unknown.

The money went into accounts numbered 888013627922 at ZA Bank Limited, 01287521057463 at Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, 885000100389 at Airstar Bank Limited and his own account numbered 33290362482 at Ant Bank (flong Kong) Limited.

The last defendant, Guo Jingchun, 35 years old and unemployed, was accused of handling HK$10,452,752 In crime proceeds through his  bank account numbered 888015763076 at ZA Bank Limited.

HK reports first local chikungunya case

 

CHP Controller Dr Edwin Tsui (center), head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the CHP, Dr Albert Au (left) and the staff of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (right) conduct  on-site inspections of locations near the patient’s residence.

Hong Kong today recorded the first locally-acquired case of chikungunya fever (CF), sparking infection control measures by various government departments and private organizations to prevent the disease from taking root and minimize its public health impact.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said the case involves an 82-year-old female living in Fung Tak Estate in Wong Tai Sin.

Hong Kong has earlier recorded 46 confirmed CF cases, all of them imported.

“None of the 46 patients lives near the abovementioned local case,” the CHP said. 

Given that the activity areas of the patient are primarily within the estate, the CHP cannot rule out the possibility that unidentified infected patient(s) in the area may have transmitted the virus to mosquitoes in the estate, leading to her infection. 

She developed a swollen and painful left ankle on October 18, and fever and limbs joint pain on October 22. She sought medical attention from a private doctor on the same day, and went to the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital the following day, where her blood sample tested positive for the chikungunya virus.

 “She was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. The patient is now in stable condition,” it said.

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A preliminary investigation revealed that she visited Qingyuan in Guangdong in late August but since she had no travel history during the incubation period (two to 12 days prior to onset), she was classified as a local case.

The patient has four household contacts who are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.

Preventive measures have been adopted among the CHP, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Wong Tai Sin District Office (WTSDO) and Hong Kong Housing Authority.

PINDUTIN DITO

The CHP sad it is implementing prevention and control measures according to epidemiological investigations and risk assessment, including providing medical surveillance and health advice to about 8,000 household contacts of the case or those with common exposure to the source of infection.

The CHP urged the residents to seek medical advice or contact the CHP immediately if they presented with a fever, rash or joint pain since October 1.

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In addition, the CHP has set up a health consultation booth at 2/F, Fung Tak Shopping Centre, where assessments will be provided to residents with relevant symptoms from today. The CHP will also set up an inquiry hotline (2125 2373), which will operate from 9am to 8pm.

90 asylum seekers sent home

 

44 women were among those sent home

A total of 90 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants (or those applying to stop Hong Kong authorities from sending them home) were repatriated by the Immigration Department from October 20 to 24 (Monday to Friday).

Those sent home were either illegal immigrants or overstayers comprising 46 men and 44 women. Among them were convicted criminals who had been discharged after spending time in prison.

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The repatriations were in line with Immigration’s policy of promptly removing people who failed to substantiate their claims against non-refoulement, to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest.

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Under the new policy that took effect on Dec. 7, 2022, Immigration was given power to generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court.

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Immigration says it remains committed to a speedy removal process through appropriate measures by actively maintaining close liaison with governments of major source countries of non-refoulement claimants, airline companies and other government departments.

 

Local man acquitted of raping Indonesian helper

 

A High Court jury voted 5-2 to acquit the defendant

A 39-year-old local restaurant manager was cleared Friday, Oct 24, of raping an Indonesian domestic helper he met through a livestreaming app, after a 10-day trial at the High Court resulted in the jury voting 5-2 in favor of acquittal.

Judge Martin Hui ordered the immediate release of Wu Kwan-shing after two days of deliberations by the jury made up of five men and two women resulted in a split decision on one charge of rape.

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The prosecution said that Wu met the woman who was 28 at the time, through the social media platform Bigo Live, in August 2020.

They had their first personal encounter in 2021, and on their second meeting in the same year, the two agreed to meet regularly. When they met again on November 14 of that year, Wu invited the woman to go to a hotel with him in Causeway Bay, and she agreed.

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In her testimony, the woman said she had agreed only to the invitation to rest at the hotel, but not to have sex. She said she had allowed Wu to hug her, but when she tried to leave, the man held her down on the bed. Wu then allegedly took off her trousers and underwear and forced himself on her despite her protests.

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The woman later disclosed the incident to her employer who accompanied her to the police to file a complaint.

Under caution, Wu told the police that he knew she was unwilling to have sex, and said he regretted his actions.

More illegal workers discovered in latest raids

 

Immigration officers escort one of those arrested 

A new group of illegal workers was discovered in the latest territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations of the government which netted 11 persons for working illegally, four locals for employing them and one for “aiding and abetting”.

The new group was discovered by Immigration Department officers through social media platforms: Mainland photographers who advertised photography and makeup services in Hong Kong.

“After an in-depth investigation and intelligence analysis, ImmD officers identified several suspected persons and initiated an operation. Officers disguised themselves as customers to enquire about and book photography and makeup services from these Mainland photographers and makeup artists,” ImmD said in a report.

They subsequently arrested three men and two women, aged 20 to 29, while providing photography and makeup services in Hong Kong.

“During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers also raided multiple target locations including restaurants, residential buildings and construction sites, etc.,” ImmD said.

Of the six suspected illegal workers who were arrested, two were men and four were women, aged 24 to 47. Arrested for employing the illegal workers were two men and two women, aged 36 to 62, while the suspected aider and abettor arrested was a women aged 56.

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The 16 arrests were made in raids conducted on from October 17 to 23 by the Immigration Department (ImmD) under operations codenamed "Rally", "Lightshadow" and "Puncture", and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion".

 “Investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out,” ImmD said.

Under the Immigration Ordinance, any person who contravenes his or her condition of stay shall be guilty of an offence.

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For example, one of such conditions is that visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. “Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment,” ImmD said.

Employer, aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties, it added.

ImmD added that it conducts an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation to ascertain whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims.

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“When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation,” it said.

“Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services,” it added.

The ImmD also urged TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, fax to 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Police issue penalty tickets to 31 minibus passengers not using seat belts

 

Police also arrested 31 passengers for not wearing seat belts during a 2022 operation (File photo)

The police have renewed a crackdown on passengers who do not wear seatbelts on public minibuses, arresting 31 people in the process.

Under the Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) Regulations, all passengers on minibuses equipped with seatbelts should wear them, or be fined a maximum of $5,000 and jailed for up to three months.

Police regularly checked if the ordinance was being followed a few years ago, but have not been as strict in enforcing it lately.

In today's renewed crackdown, officers from Kowloon East traffic division disguised as commuters boarded several minibuses to check for violators.

All 31 passengers who were found not to have properly fastened their seat belts were issued with summonses which they can discharge by paying the fine.

The police said they will continue similar operations to promote road safety.

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The crackdown follows the publication in the Government Gazette last month of proposed amendment regulations for mandating the fitting and wearing of seat belts in all newly registered buses, private light buses, goods vehicles and special purpose vehicles. Seat belts are already required in all school buses, old or newly registered.

The new law also regulates drivers’ use of mobile phones, tablets and laptops while driving. The restrictions will be imposed on the number of devices, screen size and placement of the device.

Transport officials show samples of CSDs that children must use in private vehicles from Nov 1

Meanwhile, the government reminded all private car drivers that starting on November 1, all child passengers in private cars in Hong Kong must use a child restraining device (CSD) such as child safety seats or seatbelts.

Offending drivers may be issued with a fixed penalty notice of $230, but if the violation is serious, the case will be referred to the court, which can impose a maximum fine of $2,000.

The regulation requiring CRD covers child passengers below 8 years old and stand at 1.35 meters or below, regardless of whether they are sitting in the front or rear seats.

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Those who are above 8 years old or stand more than 1.35 meters must either use a CRD or an adult seat belt.

Apart from child car seats, portable CRDs such as seat belt adjusters, restraint vests and foldable boosters can also be used. However, safety experts said they may not offer the same kind of protection as CRDs which have protective pads and seat backs on both sides.

For more details on the new regulation, please refer to the TD’s dedicated webpage,  (www.td.gov.hk/en/road_safety/crd), infographics on the Agent T Facebook page and the relevant article in the Consumer Council's CHOICE Magazine for the legal requirements and selection tips, or call the TD's hotline 2804 2600.

 

Deadlines for Christmas air mail set

 

General Post Office in Central (Google Maps photo)

If you want to make sure that your loved ones in the Philippines will receive your air mailed greetings or gifts by Christmas, you have to send them before Dec. 2 if they are greeting cards and/or letters, or Dec. 1 if parcels, the Hongkong Post has announced.

The Philippines was among the countries listed by Hongkong Post with posting dates for Christmas mail, ranging from as early as November 18 for countries such as Costa Rica and Chile, to as late as Dec. 9 for China and Japan.

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“While the dates are provisional, they have been calculated based on the requirements of respective postal administrations, and are for reference only,” the agency said. It recommended that mail be sent earlier than these dates.

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“These dates and services are subject to availability of flights, and may be altered at short notice,” it added.

Hongkong Post services available to the Philippines are Speedpost service, e-Express+ service, air letter and packet services, air parcel service and all surface mail postal services.

Pinay DH accused of illegally selling food gets off with bind-over

 

Repulse Bay beach

A Filipina domestic helper charged with breach of condition of stay for selling food at Repulse Bay, got off with just a bind-over at Shatin Courtearlier today.

The prosecution withdrew the charge of violating section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance and by virtue of Regulation 2 of the Immigration Regulations, after MJO agreed to the bindover offer.

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Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong approved the bind-over agreement, in which the 37-year-old Filipina promised not to reoffend within the next 18 months or she will be fined $2,000.

He also charged her $500 as court costs, to be taken from her bail.

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The Immigration Department filed the case against her after she was arrested last Sept. 9 for selling food to beach goers at Repulse Bay.

This violated the condition of stay imposed by an Immigration Assistant on Aug. 6, 2024, when she was permitted to remain in Hong Kong for employment as a domestic helper for the employer who signed her contract, the Immigration complaint said.

HK schools urged to help curb flu outbreaks

602 flu outbreaks have been recorded in schools since Sept (File photo)

Hong Kong’s Department of Health has called on all schools to take preventive steps and manage flu outbreaks as a third severe pediatric influenza case was recorded this week, and the 13^th overall for the current flu season.

One of them, a 13-year-old girl, has died from severe influenza B infection on Oct. 13.

The latest severe case involves an 11-year-old girl who is currently in serious condition after developing fever, cough and sore throat on October 19. She was taken to the accident and emergency department of Yan Chai Hospital on Oct. 21 and later transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital.

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The girl was diagnosed with influenza A infection complicated by severe pneumonia. Recently, 10 other students from different classes at her school contracted flu, but all had minor symptoms and did not require hospitalization.

The sick girl has not received this year’s seasonal influenza vaccination.

In the letter sent to all schools, the DH’s Centre for Health Protection has also called for the completion of student vaccinations as soon as possible, and said it will provide assistance as needed.

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According to CHP controller Dr Edwin Tsui, there have been more severe pediatric influenza cases this season than there were during the winter influenza season earlier this year.

“Including today's latest case, there have been 13 severe paediatric influenza cases since the start of the school year in September, including one fatal case. The affected children were between two and 17 years old, and 10 of them had good past health,” said Dr Tsui.

“A total of 602 school outbreaks have been reported since the start of the school year, including 64 cases in kindergartens/child care centres, 320 cases in primary schools and 218 cases in secondary schools. This number is far higher than the 88 cases recorded in the whole winter influenza season earlier this year.”

The CHP reminded schools to strengthen preventive measures such as using correct methods for cleaning and disinfecting campuses effectively, opening windows when appropriate to improve ventilation indoors, and to remind teachers and students to observe personal hand hygiene.

In addition, teachers and students are urged to check their temperature daily before going to school. If they develop symptoms or a fever, they should stay at home. 

Schools should immediately report suspected outbreaks, such as respiratory infections, to the CHP.

Dr Tsui also reminded parents to pay close attention to their children with flu-like symptoms as their condition may deteriorate rapidly. 

If there are signs that the child’s condition has worsened, like if they develop shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain confusion, persistent fever of convulsion, they must be taken to hospital immediately.

As before, the elderly are also highly at risk for severe influenza.

Everyone who develops respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also avoid going out.

 

 

DH denies sidewalk vending, 2 other charges

 

Chater Road

A Filipina domestic helper is to go on trial at Eastern Court after she denied hawking or selling clothes without a license on a sidewalk in Central last July 6, obstruction of a public place and violating a condition of her stay.

A defense lawyer for C. Mangandi, 44 years old, told a hearing Wednesday (Oct. 12) that no defense witness will be presented during her trial on Dec. 15 for violation of three laws: Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Summary Offenses Ordinance and Immigration Ordinance.

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Principal Magistrate David Cheung extended her bail of $500.

The first charge, hawking without a license, arose after she was arrested on a pavement beside a lamp post on Chater Road while allegedly selling one scarf, two handkerchiefs, two underwear, three pairs of shoes, 21 dresses, 50 upper body clothes and 30 pants.

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The charge of obstruction, on the other hand, arose from Mangandi allegedly spreading out a cloth measuring 0.6 by 1.2 meters on which she displayed her merchandise, “which obstructed persons in the aforesaid public place,” the police complaint said.

The third charge stems from the fact that her DH visa prohibits her from “establish(ing) or join(ing) the hawkering business in Hong Kong without permission of the Immigration Department,” the complaint said.

DH accused of taking nude photo of employer

 

Offense allegedly took place in one of the flats here (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina domestic helper has found herself at Eastern Court, accused of voyeurism after a nude photograph of her former employer was allegedly found in the mobile phone she returned when she left her job.

G. A., 42 years old, was charged with violation of section 159AAB (1) (a) (i) and 3) of the Crimes Ordinance, which prescribes a jail term of up to five years upon conviction.

In a hearing Tueday (Oct. 21), Principal Magistrate David Cheung Chi-wai issued an anonymity and gag order to protect the identity of the victim, who was identified in court as Female X.

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He adjourned the case to Dec. 16 for plea, and freed the helper on bail of $2,000 with conditions, such as not to leave Hong Kong, not to go back to the place of the offense, report to a police station every Sunday and inform police of any change in address.

A police complaint said the offense took place in a flat in La Marina, on Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, on an unknown date between Sept. 1, 2023 and Feb. 25, 2024.

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It alleged that G.A. “secretly recorded Female X in a place where said Female X could reasonably be expected to be naked, to reveal an intimate part, or to perform an intimate act, and said Female X was in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable expectation of privacy.”

It added that G.A. “disregarded whether the said Female X consented to being recorded.”

Fengshen brings T3, cooler weather to HK

Fengshen brings cloudy and cool weather to HK (HKO photo from The Peak)

The Hong Kong Observatory said earlier today that Tropical Cyclone Warning No 3 will remain in force only until 6pm today, unless Severe Tropical Storm Fengshen strengthens or changes course, which is unlikely.

“Unless Fengshen intensifies significantly, the chance of issuing higher Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals is relatively low,” the HK Observatory said in a statement.

T3 was hoisted yesterday afternoon, bypassing T1 as Fengshen edged closer to the coast of Guangdong. It replaced the Strong Monsoon Signal that was issued at 10:50pm Sunday night.

Under the combined effect of Fengshen and the monsoon, temperatures dipped to around 19 degrees in the urban areas today, and colder in the New Territories.

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Classes at kindergartens and schools for children with disabilities were suspended for the day today with T3 in force.

Fengshen was tracked to have passed beyond 400 kilometres to the south of Hong Kong before moving away.

The Observatory said frequent showers can be expected in the next couple of days as outer rainbands from Fengshen continue to affect Hong Kong.

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There could also be flooding at some low-lying coastal areas during the high tides at night, with the water level at Victoria Harbour rising up to around 3 meters about Chart Datum, or the reference point for predicting tide heights.