Pinoy jailed 2 months for prostitution

 

The defendant was arrested in one of these Wanchai bars (Google Maps photo)

A Filipino tourist whose occupation was listed as sex worker, was jailed for two months today after he admitted trying to pick up a customer, who happened to be an undercover police officer, at a bar in Wanchai.

John Razel Magsino, 30 years old, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two months for each of the two charges against him – soliciting for an immoral purpose in violation of the Crimes Odinance, and breach of condition of stay in violation of the Immigration Ordinance, by virtue of Immigration Regulation 24.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

However, Magistrate Kestrel Lam who presided over the hearing at the Eastern Court, ordered that the two sentences run at the same time, resulting in a total of two months.

The first charge arose from Magsino offering sexual services to a police constable at the Bar 109 on Lockhart Road, last April 3 for which he was promptly arrested.

A police complaint said he solicited (the police officer) “for an immoral purpose in the said public place.”

Basahin ang detalye!

Investigation led to the second charge since being a tourist, who was staying in a room at Ming Court on Lockhart Road, he is also prohibited under the law from accepting employment or starting a business, whether paid or unpaid.

The complaint said he “establish(ed) a business of prostitution at the said place without the pemission of the Director of immigration.”

DMW extends help to OFW whose daughter was killed in NAIA crash

 

Cacdac (in blue) consoles Malia's father Mark

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac extended sympathy as he visited the wake last night of the four-year-old daughter of an overseas Filipino worker who was killed when a runaway SUV rammed a number of people at the departure area of Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on May 4.

Malia Kates G. Masongsong had just seen off her father, Danmark S. Masongsong, who was supposed to return to his work as an assemblyline operator in Prague, Czech Republic, when she was hit by the SUV, along with her mother, grandmother and cousin.

Her three companions survived, but the two older women are still being treated at St Luke’s Hospital in Taguig City.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Another man, 29-year-old Dearick Keo Faustino, who was about to leave on a business trip to Dubai, was also killed in the tragedy.

Secretary Cacdac relayed President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ message of sympathy and support to Masongsong, and assured him that they will be given all the necessary assistance that they need.

“Naririto po kami, inatasan ng Pangulo para ipaabot ang kaniyang pangangamusta at panalangin at siguraduhing maibigay ang lahat ng inyong pangangailangan," Secretary Cacdac said. (We were sent here by the President to extend his care and prayer, and ensure that you get all the help that you need.

Aftermath of the May 4 tragedy

With help from the Philippine embassy in Prague, the DMW also explained to Mark’s foreign employers what had happened that prevented the OFW from returning to work.

Before attending Malia’s wake in Lipa, Batangas, Cacdac visited the girl’s mother, Cynthia, and grandmother Edith, in hospital, to also express sympathy.

Mark later told reporters he managed to finally tell his wife that their daughter was gone.

Basahin ang detalye!

He also spoke of how much he loved Malia, whom he managed to see again only after being away for more than two years. His daughter had asked him not to leave again for work, shortly before he went inside the departure terminal.

Mark appealed to authorities to hold the driver of the SUV responsible for the death of his daughter and injuries to other family members, and if possible, prevent him from posting bail.

Justice was also demanded by the family of Faustino, a senior supervisor at a printing company and was said to be his family's breadwinner. One relative also questioned a seeming delay in taking the victims to the hospital.

Friends who were with him at the airport said Faustino had left them briefly to get a luggage trolley when he was hit by the SUV.

He is now buried in his hometown of Hagonoy, Bulacan, where Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian paid respects and offered help to his family.

 

 

 

 

2 FDHs cleared of assaulting boy in their care

 

Antonio (with glasses) says Bethune House is always ready to help distressed migrans

If you are accused wrongly, fight.

This is the message that Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio said, after the prosecution withdrew a charge of assault against Filipina domestic worker in their care on May 2, following a hearing at Fan Ling Magistracy.

Filipina Jeany T, 39 along Indonesian Yanti, 24, who both worked for the same employer, were both arrested by the police on Dec 28 last year for allegedly assaulting their young male ward starting on Nov. 19 of the same year, in their employer’s flat in Treasure Tower, Sha Tin.

They were eventually charged with one count of common assault each, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Both denied the charge from the outset, but it took four agonizing months before prosecutors decided there was no evidence to support the allegation made against them by their former employer.

“Tanda ko nung dumating si Jeany sa Bethune House iyak siya ng iyak dahil sa bintang na common assault. Gulong gulo ang isip dahil sa takot,” said Antonio. (I remember how Jeany cried so hard when she came to Bethune House because of the common assault charge).

Despite her distress, Jeany was determined to fight back.

Basahin ang detalye!

“Ang binitawan niyang salita ay ‘lalaban ako dahil hindi ko ginawa, hindi ko sinaktan ang batang alaga ko,” added Antonio. (She declared she would fight back because she did not commit any wrongdoing, she did not assault the young boy in her care).

According to Jeany, she was dismissed after she saw her female employer hit Yanti, and she called the police. Both helpers were eventually dismissed and the employer turned the tables on them by filing a complaint about their alleged assault on her son.

Seeing her determination to defend herself against the baseless allegation, Antonio said Bethune House extended her help, not just with temporary accommodation, but also with mental, legal and emotional support. Yanti was taken in by her recruitment agency.

“So noong sinabi niya na gusto niyang tumindig at lumaban sa akusasyon na di niya ginawa, pinalakas namin siya mentally para makaalpas sa trauma. Mahalaga at importante na manindigan sa tama,” said Antonio.

(So when she said she wanted to stand for what was right and defend herself against a charge she did not commit we helped strengthen her mentally so she could recover from the trauma. It is important and essential for one to stand up for what is right).

It is also because of that determination to fight for her rights that Jeany is now set to file a labour claim against her former employer so she could recover everything that is due her under the law.

Hopefully, she would also be allowed to remain in Hong Kong and find a new employer who will be kind to her and accord her dignity.

 

2 FDHs found with $900k worth of untaxed cigarettes arrested

 

Some of the cigarettes found on the 2 helpers

Hong Kong Customs reported late Sunday night the seizure of around 200,000 suspected illicit cigarettes from two storage and distribution centers in Sheung Shui said to be operated primarily by foreign domestic helpers.

Two female foreign domestic helpers aged 40 and 48 but whose nationalities were not disclosed, were arrested.

Customs said the untaxed cigarettes have an estimated market value of about $900,000 and duty potential of about $660,000.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The arrests came after customs officers saw the two women carrying suspicious nylon bags in Choi Yuen Estate at the crack of dawn on Sunday. Upon checking, about 90,000 pieces of cigarettes were found inside the bags.

The helpers then escorted the officers to their employers’ public rental flats where an additional 110,000 illicit cigarettes were discovered.

Basahin ang detalye!

Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the domestic helpers used their employer’s public housing units where they also lived, as storage centres for the contraband cigarettes.

According to customs, the helpers used the flats as delivery addresses and collected the illicit cigarettes in small batches to avoid detection by their employers. They distributed them during early hours on holidays, but it was not clear who the recipients were.

Customs said it will continue investigating to find out the source and distribution channels for the illicit cigarettres.

Further arrests have not been ruled out.

The haul was kept inside public housing flats belonging to the helpers' employers

In Hong Kong, tobacco duty amounts to 80 cents per stick, pushing up the price of a 20-stick pack to more than $90. But on the black market, each pack sells from $20 to $30.

Customs warned that it is an offence to buy or cigarettes for which tax has not been paid. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes could be fined a maximum of $1 million and jailed for up to two years.

The public is urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

AMCB submits 2025 agenda for migrant workers to govt

 

The multi-ethnic group presents its written demands to a govt representative

By Daisy CL Mandap

A multi-ethnic alliance of migrant domestic workers staged a picket outside the Hong Kong Central Government Offices this morning to present concrete demands on living wage, working hours regulation and improvements on working and living conditions, which they call their 3Ws campaign.

About 50 MDWs from Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand comprising the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body, held up posters and spoke on their demands outside the CGO, after which a government representative stepped outside to collect a copy of their written statement.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Number in their list of 3Ws is their call for a “living wage” for all, including MDWs who they say have to deal with the rising costs of basic goods, just like any other person living in Hong Kong.

AMCB says at least $6,172 a month is what migrant workers need to allow themselves and their families to live a bit more comfortably. If provided with a food allowance, this should be at least $3,123 a month.

The picket outside the CGO this morning

The second W in the campaign is the “working hours regulation.” AMCB wants MDW contracts to stipulate a continuous 11-hour rest period for the workers each day, especially as it has received complaints of MDWs working for up to 16 or even 20 hours each day.

The lack of regulation deprives MDWs of much-needed rest and sleep which they need to work safely and effectively, said the AMCB.

The third and last W stands for “working and living conditions” of MDWs. From the time the first standard foreign domestic helper contracts were issued by the government, nothing has been done to set a standard for sleep and rest accommodation for MDWs who number more than 300,000 now, according to AMCB.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

While the word “suitable accommodation” is mentioned in their contract, the term does not give concrete examples of where a MDW can be allowed to rest and sleep in. Thus, during consultations with their members, they found out that 3 out of 5 migrants do not have private rooms to sleep in.

There have also been documented cases of MDWs being forced to sleep inside toilets, atop washing machines, or inside coffin-like cabinets in the kitchen.

“Their uniqueness as workers who live where they work implies a 24-hour on-call household worker with little or no rest and privacy, said the AMCB.

Basahin ang detalye!

The group has reiterated the call to make the live-in arrangement for all MDWs optional for those who cannot be given decent and acceptable accommodation.\

2 dead, 4 injured in car crash at NAIA

 

The black SUV finally came to a halt by the glass doors of the terminal entrance

Two people were killed and four others were injured after a black SUV crashed through barriers at the departure area of Terminal 1 of  Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila at about 8:50 am today, May 4.

The dead included the five-year-old daughter of a departing overseas Filipino worker, and a 29-year-old male.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The injured included another OFW who was about to leave the country and members of his family who were sending him off.

According to initial reports the SUV driver identified as Leo Gonzales told investigators he was parked at the terminal’s entrance after taking a passenger to the airport, when another car suddenly passed in front. He panicked and pressed on the accelerator instead of the brakes.

The driver said he hit the gas pedal instead of the brakes in panic

However, two CCTV footages taken overhead showed the car’s path was only blocked by a pedestrian at the time. The SUV is seen to have accelerated fast, managed to avoid the pedestrian, but rammed through the barriers and crushed people around, before resting just before the glass doors of the terminal entrance.

Here's a link to a CCTV footage from NAIA: https://www.facebook.com/bomboradyophilippines/videos/4053108891592308/

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Videos shared online by onlookers showed the dead girl’s father in an emotional breakdown, saying “anak ko yun, anak ko yun,” repeatedly.

In a statement, the New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC) said the driver who crashed the car is now in the custody of the Philippine National Police which is pursuing an investigation.

The two fatalities were both dead on the spot

The Land Transportation Office has suspended his licence for 90 days while the investigation is ongoing, while a show cause order has been issued against both the driver and the registered owner of the car, said to be a Ford Everest.

Meantime, NNIC’s president, Ramon S. Ang, has committed to personally pay for the medical expenses of those injured and provide financial assistance to the families of the two fatalities.

Basahin ang detalye!

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said it has preventively suspended the driver’s license of the motorist involved in the incident. It will last for 90 days while the investigation is ongoing.

The LTO also said it has also issued a show cause order against the registered owner and the driver of the SUV.

Aftermath of the tragedy on SCTEX caused by a driver who said he fell asleep at the wheel

The NAIA tragedy happened just three days after a sleeping passenger bus slammed onto a number of vehicles lined up at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), killing 10 people and injuring 37 others.

Reports said the driver of the Pangasinan-bound Solid North provincial bus told investigators he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Among those killed were eight people in a Nissan Urvan which had set off from Antipolo City, including four children being taken to camp in Pangasinan.

Also killed were a couple aboard a Kia Sonet car – 32-year-old Philippine Coast Guard Seawoman 1 Dain Janica Alinas and her husband, Jon-jon, 34. Miraculously, their two-year-old son who was strapped to his car seat, escaped unharmed.

The family was said to be on their way to a holiday in Baguio City.

Nearly all of the injured were passengers  of the North Star bus and mostly sustained only minor wounds, including the driver.

Authorities have since arrested  the driver and he now faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides, physical injuries and property damage.

Enrolment for overseas voting to end on May 7

 

All registered OFW voters who have not enrolled can do so tomorrow or Monday

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has reminded all overseas voters that they have only until Wednesday, May 7, to enroll to vote in the ongoing using the Online Voting and Counting System.

Everyone must enroll to be able to cast their ballots online in the ongoing overseas voting for the 2025 general elections in the Philippines.

Registered overseas voters can enrol themselves using their device and visiting  ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Alternatively, they can go to the OWWA OFW Global Centre on the 18^th floor of United Centre in Admiralty if they need help. The Center is open everyday from 8am onwards tomorrow, May 4 (Sunday) or May 5 (statutory holiday) to accommodate all voters who need help with enrolment.

They must appear in person and bring their Philippine passport  (recognized Philippine IDs and HKIDs may only be used if the passport is not available).

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

After enrolment they can proceed to vote at any of the kiosks set up at the Center. Voters are reminded that they have only 15 minutes to fill up and cast their votes, so they are encouraged to already have a prepared list of the candidates that they wish to vote for.

Basahin ang detalye!

Those who have enrolled may vote online until 7pm on May 12, when polls close across the Philippines for the mid-term elections.

Overseas Filipinos who are voting online for the first time can choose up to 12 senatorial candidates and one party-list from the list furnished by the Commission on Elections on the ballot itself.

 

 

Splash to open Sunday swimming classes for beginners on Tuesday

 

Many of those who have benefited from Splash's swimming lessons are MDWs

A non-government organization that teaches Hong Kong people, including foreign domestic workers, to swim, for free, is set to open registration for its Sunday Beginner programs this coming Tuesday, May 6, starting at 10am.

Splash Foundation says its learn-to swim adult program is designed for absolute beginners, but those with some swim experience are also welcome.

Its Sunday programs are primarily open to migrant domestic workers, and will be held at the West Island School in Pokfulam on all Sundays from May 18 to July 20, at these times:

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

 

·       8:30am - 9:15am

·       9:45am - 11:00am

·       11:00am - 12:15pm

·       12:15pm - 1:30pm

Online registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Splash makes the first class mandatory, and a has a strict attendance policy, so those who register are urged to make sure they are able to take part on the dates and time they choose.

“Don’t take someone else’s opportunity to learn to swim away,” said its statement.

Registration will be through the Splash Foundation website at the button below. Links will be visible starting May 6, Tuesday at 10am.

https://www.splashfoundation.org/en/how-to-register

Basahin ang detalye!

Reminders for registration:

·       Prepare for registration by finding stable internet connection

·       Have your HKID, email address, Whatsapp phone number ready to input

·       Have access to your email account (email address and password ready)

·       Double check all your contact details!  

Email admin@splashfoundation.org if you have any questions

The Splash Foundation started its first swimming lessons in 2015, with a group of 30 migrant domestic workers being taught how to swim by a dedicated group of swimmers at a pool not used on Sunday afternoons.

Since then, it has taught this like skill to more than 7,500 people, mainly migrant workers and children.

3W campaign for migrant workers to be launched

 

AMCB leaders show what the 3W campaign is all about

Members of the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body are set to hold a picket from 11am to 12 noon on May 3, in front of the Central Government Office in Admiralty to launch its 3W campaign for better protection for migrant workers.

The 3Ws stand for wage increase, working hours regulation and improvement in workers’ living and working conditions.

Following the picket, AMCB will turn over a petition letter to a government representative.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The AMCB and International Migrants Alliance of IMA made the announcement on May Day, when they would traditionally march through the streets along with local workers, to call for better working conditions across all sectors.

In a published statement the group said they have received complaints from migrant workers about “very serious” long working hours, of between 16 and 20 hours, “inhumane accommodation and food provision, and various other abuses.

It is because of these unbearable working conditions that many migrant domestic workers are forced to terminate their contracts, said the AMCB, and not due to the whimsical reason of “job hopping,” or employer shopping.

Basahin ang detalye!

The group again urged the Hong Kong government to regulate working hours and lift the requirement for the mandatory live-in arrangement for foreign domestic workers as this is the primary reason why strict regulation cannot be imposed.

Forcing MDWs to live with their employers leads to abuses and exploitation, said AMCB, while working long hours deprive them of much-needed rest and sleep, and could lead to serious health problems.

The AMCB also reminded the government that the regulation of working hours is a “must” under international law standards such as the ILO Convention No 189.

 

The campaign will focus on the following demands:

 

1.     Raise the minimum allowable wage for DMWs to $6,172 and the food allowance to $3,123, in line with what is an acceptable “living wage” for all

 

2.     Legislate working hours for all workers

 

3.     Implement working hours specially  for MDWs that will allow them a continuous rest period of at least 11 hours per day

 

4.     Make live-out an option

 

5.     Include in the standard employment contract a clear description of the following: (a) working hours/rest hours; (b) suitable accommodation; and (c) decent food

 

AMCB, a network of migrant organizations from the Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lankans and Thailand, has been spearheading since 2019 the campaign for social inclusion, living wage for all, and the protection of the well-being of more than 300,000 migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.