Filipina asylum seeker, 2 others get 20 years' jail for drug trafficking

 

The cocaine-soaked bedsheets found in Dickensheets' luggage

A High Court judge has sentenced a 56-year-old Filipina asylum seeker to 20 years and 8 months in jail after she was found guilty after trial for drug trafficking, along with two others.

Rosita B. Palao who had worked as a domestic helper for 15 years before overstaying and subsequently filing for non-refoulement, was arrested on May 15, 2023 as she tried to pick up a consignment of liquid cocaine that had been brought into Hong Kong by her American co-defendant.

DETAILS HERE

United States national Stephen Dickensheets, 68, had flown into Hong Kong the day before from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Paris, France, with a check-in luggage containing 17 bed sheets soaked with the liquefied drug. He was arrested while undergoing secondary check at customs clearance.

Customs originally put the amount of cocaine found in his possession to be 10 kilos, but the amount was downgraded to 1.5 kilos after extensive examination by the Government Laboratory. The street value of the haul was estimated to be about HK$1.9 million.

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Because of his cooperation with the authorities which led to the arrest of Palao and a third defendant, Nigeria and Benin national Fousseni Orou Nicki, Dickensheets received a reduced sentence of 19 years and 8 months.

Fousseni, also an asylum seeker, received the longest sentence of 21 years and 8 months, after the court found him to be the key player in the operation.

He was arrested much later than the two, after police investigators traced him from the telephone number he used in directing Palao to pick up the drugs from Dickensheets at a hotel in Tin Shui Wai.

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All three denied any knowledge about the drugs haul.

Dickensheets told the court he thought he was meant to deliver only gifts, and did not know that the bed sheets in the suitcase that was passed on to him in Brazil contained drugs.

Palao said she merely volunteered to pick up Mother’s Day gifts, at the instruction of a Chinese person she only knew as “Tear,” who communicated with her only by telephone.

Fousseini who was granted leave last year to appeal Immigration’s rejection of his non-refoulement claim, denied being Tear, who directed Palao to pick up the drugs.

But law enforcers testified tracing the phone messages and calls made to Palao to Fousseni, who was also found to have been in regular contact with the Filipina since 2021.

In sentencing, Judge DÁlmada Remedios told Palao and Fousseni that they had betrayed the trust placed on them by the Hong Kong authorities by committing a serious crime while on recognizance, or while awaiting the result of their application for non-refoulement.

The international element of the offence that all the accused were found to have committed, also merited a more severe penalty.

FDH agrees to settle claim to flat left by late Chinese fiancée

 

Nora outside District Court, pushing a suitcase and bag containing documents pertaining to the flat

For nearly five years she had clung to the hope that the flat she claimed was left to her by deceased Chinese fiancé would eventually be transferred in her name, but without a title, will or even a letter to prove her stake there was no way she could have legally claimed it as hers.

On Tuesday, October 27, Nora Rafanan Madriaga, finally agreed to surrender possession of the two-bedroom Home Ownership flat in Tai Wo Hau to Lee Wai Hung, brother of her late fiancé, Lee Wai-man

“Pagod na ako,” (I am tired) Nora, who is in her 40s, said after agreeing to settle her claim for a fraction of what had been originally offered her shortly after Wai-man died of liver cancer in December 2021.

DETAILS HERE

Nora said Wai Hung had initially offered her HK$1 million in exchange for passing on the title and keys to the flat, but she resisted, saying she was given wrong advice. Instead, she demanded no less than HK$1.7 million.

The offer went down to HK$500,000 by March last year after she took out a writ at the District Court to press her claim, but she still resisted.

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At the time, she was still being represented by counsel whom Nora said she had paid around HK$250,000 from the proceeds of several insurance policies Wai-man had taken, naming her as beneficiary.

But by the time her claim was scheduled for trial on Monday, Nora no longer had a lawyer, saying she had no money to continue paying the hefty legal fees. Wai Hung, on the other hand, had secured counsel from Legal Aid, and was no longer in a position to offer much in compromise settlement.

Wai Hung and his wife leave court after settling the case with Nora

They agreed that Nora would be given HK$10,000 after she vacated possession of the flat and turned over relevant documents and the keys she had kept since Wai-man’s death. The offer was originally HK$20,000 but she could not account for some of the documents she was meant to surrender.

Nora also undertook to vacate the attachment of her writ to the flat so it could be sold. Once sold, and subject to the balance left after the legal charge was paid, she will be paid an additional HK$80,000.

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When she asked if there was any guarantee that she would be paid this amount in future, Judge Harold Leong said it was up to Wai Hung to decide whether he wanted to sell, but if he does sell, then he’s legally bound to pay her the agreed price.

But to appease her, Judge Leong told the Legal Aid lawyers that they must remind Wai Heung about his undertaking to pay Nora if the sale goes through.

Outside court, Nora said her heart still ache from Wai Man’s death just a month before they were supposed to marry, after nearly eight years of being in a relationship. She proudly displayed a ring that she said was part of a set that her late fiancée had bought for them shortly before he was diagnosed with cancer.

Nora said that throughout her fiancee’s three-month battle with the disease she had stayed by his side, with blessings from her employer who lives just across Wai Man’s flat,  and who was fast friends with him and his late mother.

In turn, Wai Man had reportedly been extra good to her, treating her to fancy restaurants on her days off, and even giving her a monthly allowance after they officially became a couple in 2014. She said even his family, including his mother and brother Wai Hung, treated her well.

She was thus relieved when on the second day of the court hearing, she saw Wai Hung’s wife who was in court with him, smile for the first time since they tangled because of her claim. Nora hopes this would soon pave the way for them to leave the animosity behind, especially as she is already thinking of returning to the Philippines for good. 

2 FDHs investigated after jewelry worth US$10m went missing in Stanley home

 

Bauhinia Garden where the alleged theft took place

Two foreign domestic helpers are being questioned after two pieces of high-end jewelry with an estimated combined value of US$10 million (HK$78 million) were reported missing from a luxury home in Stanley on Thursday afternoon.

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Police reported receiving a call from a female resident of Bauhinia Garden on Chung Hom Kok Road at about 1pm earlier today, saying the jewelry from two high-end brands that were kept inside a cabinet were missing.

They were described as a Boghossian pearl necklace and a Cartier diamond necklace, both of which would have been priced in the millions of dollars.

Christie's priced this Boghossian pearl & diamond necklace at between HK$8m-HK$12m

The female resident was said to have just returned from a trip abroad. She reportedly told the police she had left the two necklaces inside the cabinet before leaving for the United Kingdom last month.

Only her elderly mother and two domestic helpers were left at home while she was away.

Basahin ang detalye!

The resident told police the domestic helpers whose nationalities were not disclosed, must have stolen the valuables.

Officers who went to the house to investigate have classified the case as theft, but made no arrests.

A police spokeswoman said the reported theft is still being investigated, including as to the correct value of the missing jewelry.

(The SUN will update the story if more details emerge)

Pinay in $6.4million money laundering case jailed 3.5 years

 

A Filipina who opened accounts in eight banks and then sold them for sums ranging from $500 to $3,000, resulting in their ending up being used as depository for $6.4 million raised in scams, was sentenced today by the District Court to 40 months and 26 days in prison.

Vermadel Canonero, 49 years old, wiped away tears as Deputy District Judge Ivy Chui read her decision convicting Canonero for eight counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to section 25(1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance and one count of breach of condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance.

Canonero admitted to selling her eight bank accounts that were used to launder money made from various scams or fraudulent transactions.

Judge Chui imposed a starting point of 48 months’ imprisonment for money laundering on Canonero but gave her a one-third discount because she pleaded guilty, to come up with 32 months. With 25 per cent enhancement of the sentence to serve as deterrent, the sentence came up to 40 months.

She also sentenced Canonero to 26 days for overstaying in Hong Kong.

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Judge Chui said investigation showed that the HK$6,448,441.27 came from scam victims in what appears to be the longest money laundering activity ever linked to a foreign domestic worker, spanning a period of more than two years, from Apr 16, 2022 to Nov. 13, 2024.

She cited three ways in which the victims were scammed.

Some received a call from “Customber Assistance” informing them that their bank account had been accidentally  overdrawn and asking for their PIN to be able to correct the situation. Some were informed that they applied for insurance, chargeabe to their bank account; since they did not make such application, a supposed “Customer Assistance” personnel offered to erase it, using their bank account PIN. Another method was an employment scam, details of which judge Chui did not elaborate.

Canonero opened her first bank account with Mox Bank on Apr 16, 2022, and kept it active until July 13, 2024. During that period, tainted money totaling $3,053,717.57 passed through the account.

Basahin ang detalye!

The second charge involves a ZA Bank account in her name, where a total of $775,475.86 in illicit money was funneled between Nov. 23 2023 and Jun 9, 2024.

Between Mar 4, 2024 and Apr 22, 2024, Canonero’s account at digital services company HKT Payment Ltd was used in laundering a total of $766,823.34.

Between Mar 27, 2024 and Nov. 13, 2024, another account in her name with China Citic Bank was used to launder a total of $261,626.80.

Between Mar 25, 2024 and Jul 5, 2024 a total of $536,919.61 was laundered in her account with Airstar Bank, Ltd.

Between Apr 8 and 18, 2024, Canonero’s account with Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation was used to launder $229,330.

Between Apr 8, 2024 and Jul 4, 2024 a total of $345,000 was laundered using her account with Bank of China.

Finally, her Livi Bank account was used to launder a total of $479,548.09 between May 22, 2024 and Aug 12, 2024.

Judge Chui cleared Canonero of the ninth charge -- breach of her visa condition by overstaying, having been permitted to remain in Hong Kong as a domestic helper only until June 9, 2024 but staying until her arrest on Mar 17, 2025 -- because the prosecution did not offer evidence.

She was instead convicted of remaining in Hong Kong after the expiration of her visitor visa on Nov. 18, 2024.

Peso breaches 64 to US$1, analysts say it could dip further

 

The peso dropped in value for the sixth straight day when it dipped to 64.17 to the dollar Tuesday

The Philippine peso dipped to a new record low of 64.17 to $1 on Tuesday, before recovering slightly to close at 64.025 to $1 on Wednesday.

Tuesday was the sixth consecutive trading day that the peso reached a historic low, and the 33^rd time this year that it bottomed out.

With the rapid decline of the national currency’s value and no relief in sight in the near term, analysts say the peso could soon be hitting the 65-to-a-dollar level.

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The peso’s fall is attributed to several factors, including a strong US dollar and expectations of higher interest rates in the United States, the Philippine’s large trade and fiscal deficits, declining foreign investments and weaker dollar inflows, due in part to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has sought to allay concerns over the 64-to-a-dollar breach, saying the government is doing all it can to defend the peso.

"People can take solace (in) the fact that our policy towards the peso is to continue to defend the peso as hard as possibly we can. We have all the tools to defend the peso. We have all the means to defend the peso," Marcos said Wednesday.

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But the analysts say the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is right in not propping up the peso each time because of the country’s dwindling dollar reserves.

Marcos attributed the drop in the currency’s value to the continuing rise in oil prices due to the Mideast conflict.

But he said the government is doing everything to bring down food prices, which have risen considerably because of the oil crunch.

Amid the dire outlook, some economists say the seasonal rise in remittances and bonus payments to business process outsourcing staff could bring some relief before the year-end.

 

Pinoy, Chinese jailed for damaging doors

 

District Court

A Filipino was jailed for 20 months while his female Chinese co-accused was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment by the District Court after they pleaded guilty to 11 counts of criminal damage to other people’s front doors, and then failing to appear in a lower court’s hearing while on bail.

Jose Antonio Peralta, aged 51 years, and Tsang Pui-ki, aged 45, were sentenced on Monday (October 26) by Judge Stanley Chan.

The two pleaded guilty to violation of sections 60(1) and 63(2) of the Crimes Ordinance as each of the criminal damage charges was read to them, and failing to surrender to custody without reasonable cause, contrary to section 9L(1) and (3) of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance.

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The duo’s string of offenses began on August 11, 2021, when they damaged the front door and iron gate of Room 920, Shin Lai House, Shin Ming Estate, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories -- the first of eight charges where they were jointly charged.

This was followed by the following:

·       On August 11, 2021, they damaged the door and front gate of Room 2401, Ko Sui House, Ko Cheung Court, Yau Tong, Kowloon.

·       On August 13, 2021, they damaged the door and iron gate of Room 204, Shin Leung House, Long Shin Estate, Yuen Long, New Territories.

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·       On August 16, 2021, they damaged the iron gate of Room 907, Wang Fu House, Wang Tau Hom Estate, Wang Tau Hom, Kowloon.

·       On August 17, 2021, they damaged the door and iron gate of Room 3209, Ching On House, Tsz Ching Estate, Tsz Wan Shan, Kowloon.

·       On August 18, 2021, they damaged the door and iron gate of Room 1103, Ming Yu House, Kin Ming Estate, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories.

·       On September 10, 2021, they damaged the door and iron gate of Room 2402, Yue Sang House, Kin Sang Estate, Tuen Mun, New Territories.

·       On September 13, 2021, they conspired with a person known as "Mr. Lau to damage the door of Room 3417, Tak On House, Hau Tak Estate, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories.

Tsang, on her own, committed the following:

·       On August 18, 2021, damaged the front door of Flat G, 15th Floor, Block 2, Beneville, No. 18 Tuen Kwai Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories.

·       On September 6, 2021, damaged the door and iron gate of Room 911, Tao Tak House, Lei Cheng Uk Estate, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon.

·       On September 10, 2021, she damaged the door and iron gate of Room 1019, Lee Fung House, Lee On Estate, Ma Shan On, New Territories.

The two were subsequently arrested and charged before the Kwun Tong Court, which released them on bail after a hearing.

However, the two did not show up for their next hearing on July 5, 2022, which led to their arrest and elevation of their case to the Distrct Court.

Ex-DH jailed 74 days for overstaying 2 years

 

Shatin Magistrates Court

A former domestic helper who remained in Hong Kong illegally for almost two years after the expiration of her employment contract, was jailed today by the Shatin Court for 11 weeks minus three days (or 74 days) for overstaying.

 A. Lita, 39 years old, had earlier pleaded guilty to breach of condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, before Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong.

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A complaint by the Immigration Department charged Lita with overstaying from September 17, 2024 to July 4, 2026 when she was arrested .

The complaint said she was permitted to land in Hong Kong by an Immigration Assistant by virtue of section 11 of the Immigration Ordinance and was imposed a condition of stay in which she was allowed to stay  until September 17, 2024 or two weeks after termination of contract, whichever is earlier.

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However, she remained in Hong Kong 14 July 14, 2026.

Ex-HK OFW dies on arrival in Albania, relatives ask help with repat

 

Alma used to work as an OFW in Hong Kong

The family of a Filipina former domestic worker in Hong Kong who died on arrival in Albania last month from a reported heart attack is calling on the Philippine government for help in bringing her body home.

Alma Mariñas Francisco, 49, was reportedly recruited to work in Albania by an employment agency based in Dubai. But on arrival in Albania from Hong Kong on September 5, she collapsed and was taken straight to a hospital where she was declared dead.

In a Facebook post by Ma Josaphel Belotindos, who said she’s a partner of Alma’s son VJ Allen Mariñas Francisco, the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy with jurisdiction over Albania, were all urged to help in bringing home the remains of the late overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

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“Napakasakit pong tanggapin ang pagkawala ng aming ina. Mas lalo pong mabigat sa aming pamilya ang patuloy na paghihintay dahil hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin namin siya naiuuwi sa ating sariling bayan upang mabigyan ng marangal na huling pamamaalam,” said Josaphel.

(It pains us to accept the loss of our mother. But the pain is made worse by having to wait this long just so we could bring her back home, and give her a fitting farewell).

 

Alma posted this photo on Facebook on her birthday in April last year

Josaphel said their family still has to be informed of the events that happened before Alma’s passing. They do not have any information about her supposed employer,  and all other details pertaining to her employment in Albania.

“Nalaman din po namin na maaaring hindi siya rehistrado o dokumentadong OFW sa Albania, dahil hindi niya naibahagi nang lubusan sa aming pamilya ang kanyang mga plano at paglalakbay,”  she added. 

“Dahil dito, hindi po namin alam kung kanino at saan kami dapat lumapit upang matiyak ang maayos at agarang pagpapauwi sa kanyang labi.” 

(We learned that she might not have been a registered or documented OFW in Albania, as she did not fully disclose to our family her travel and other plans. Because of this, we do not know who to ask or approach for help to ensure a proper and fast repatriation of her remains.”

Basahin ang detalye!

Josaphel added: “Mahigit isang buwan na po kaming naghihintay. Mahigit isang buwan na rin po kaming nagdadalamhati at umaasang makakauwi na ang aking ina.” (We have waited for more than a month. We have been mourning and hoping all this time that our mother could finally go home.” 

The appeal for help in repatriating Alma’s remains echoes the problems encountered by the family of another HK OFW who died also last month while awaiting her deportation back to the Philippines after her application for asylum was rejected by the High Court. 

Lina D. Realiza who had worked as an OFW for 23 years, also died from cardiac arrest on September 22, and her children also issued a similar appeal for help in getting her remains shipped to their hometown in Pangasinan. Ultimately, it was her friends in Hong Kong, notably those from the Muslim community, who pitched in to pay the HK$42,000 bill for her repatriation. 

The incident prompted several Filipino community leaders, notably Eman Villanueva of Bayan Hong Kong and Macau, to hit out at the government for failing to act with haste in repatriating the remains of Lina. 

Villanueva cited several laws, including RA10022 or the so-called Magna Carta of Labor, that provides that “if an OFW becomes undocumented (irregular), the Philippine government will fully shoulder the cost of repatriating their remains.” 

He said that even the more recent Department Order 02/2025 of the DMW which specifies the use of its Aksyon Fund provides that the burial or cremation and/or shipment of the remains of an undocumented OFW can be funded from the Fund.

(Alma’s family is appealing for help in funding the repatriation and burial of her remains. Donations may be sent to the following accounts: Gcash number 09544234147 in the name of VJ Allen Francisco and BPI Bank Account Number 0716204857  in the name of Ma Josaphel Belotindos)

 

 

Pinoy who had illegal sex with child sent to detention center

 

The District Court in Wanchai 

An 18-year-old Filipino was sentenced today at the District Court to a stay of up to six months in a detention center for having illegal sex with an 11-year-old girl, and possession of her nude pictures.

“It gives no pleasure to the court to order a young man’s detention,” Deputy District Judge Newman Wong told Liam Urtula, who was 16 when he committed the act on February 14, 2025. “You have learned a lesson. Hopefully you turn a new leaf.”

Urtula had earlier pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 years, contrary to section 123 of the Crimes Ordinance, and possession of child pornography, contrary to section 3(3) of the Prevention of Child Pornography Ordinance.

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The sexual act took place at Urtula’s residence at Bonham Strand West, Sheung Wan a week after they met in Tung Chung and started a relationship. He broke up with her the next day but asked her by text to send nude pictures if she wants him back.

He was arrested the next month after the girl’s mother discovered the nude pictures in her phone and called police. During investigation, he admitted having sex with the girl despite knowing her age.

Judge Wong said he had considered a prison term, with a starting point of 24 months less one-third for the guilty plea, but chose the detention center where Urtula will be under strict supervision and hard labor for one to six months, to administer a short sharp shock on him so he will not re-offend.

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He said he based his decision on Urtula’s young age, his immaturity, his plans to go back to school after dropping out at Form 3 to seek fulltime employment, and his pleading guilty which indicated his remorse.

Pinay jailed 2 months for misleading police

Eastern Court 

A Filipina domestic helper was jailed for two months by Eastern Court today after she pleaded guilty to falsely reporting a burglary  in her employer’s house and misleading a policewoman who responded.

Trishia Clair Taga-amo, 26 years old, was charged with knowingly misleading a police officer, contrary to section 64 (b) of the Police Force Ordinance.

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She was convicted of misleading Woman Detective Police Constable (WDPC) 35416 by making a false statement of the commission of burglary in her employer’s home.

The offense was committed on August 7, 2026 at an 11^th floor flat at Paterson Street in Causeway Bay.

Basahin ang detalye!

With the case being resolved early, Chief Magistrate So Wai-tak cancelled the previously scheduled next hearing on November 20.

Call for Filipino professionals in HK to organize

 

287 OFWs took the 2nd SPLE in HK on Sept 30

The Migrant Workers Office is calling on all Filipino professionals in Hong Kong to an assembly so they can establish the first Philippine Professional Organization (PPO) in Hong Kong.

The assembly will be held on Nov.8, a Sunday, from 9:30am to 12 noon at the OFW Global Center on the 18^th floor of United Centre Building in Admiralty.

DETAILS HERE

The Filipino professionals (no definition is given by the MWO, but the term is generally used to describe a person who is engaged or performs specialized work requiring specific education or degree, training, or formal skill) are expected to elect the first executive committee of the PPO.

The PPO is seen to serve as a platform for uniting Filipino professionals in Hong Kong, promote and protect their rights and welfare, support Special Professional Licensure Examinations, currently administered by the Professional Regulation Commission in the Philippines through the MWO,  and address issues affecting them.

Pindutin para sa detalye

To join the assembly, one must register beforehand through this link: https://forms.gle/6KHQi6HxHE36GGDLA

A maximum number of three members from each organization will be allowed to participate.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

In recent months, the MWO has been hosting the SPLE for various professional groups, like teachers, engineers, architects and social workers, with impressive results.

In the second round of the SPLE held on September 20, a total of 287 examinees took part. This followed the first round held from May 29 to 31 this year, which was a historic milestone as it was the first time that the SPLE for various professions was held in Hong Kong.

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The last licensure examination for teachers yielded a pass rate of 52.11%, the highest ever pass-rate in Hong Kong, while in social work, all examinees passed the qualifying examination, for a 100% pass rate.

The SPLE is part of the government’s efforts to help OFWs gain professional qualifications and prepare for better opportunities, whether overseas or back in the Philippines.