17 OFWs arrested at pro-Duterte gathering in Qatar get provisional release

 

Secretary Cacdac announcing the provisional release at a press con in Malacanang

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac has announced the provisional release of 17 Filipinos arrested in Qatar last Friday, Mar 28, for wearing T-shirts proclaiming support for former President Rodrigo Duterte who is detained at The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity.

Speaking at a press briefing in Malacanang, Cacdac said: “We are very, very thankful to the Qatari authorities, to the Qatari government for allowing the provisional release of the 17 as the investigations proceed.

While police investigations into the case continue, the Philippine government will keep providing legal assistance to the detained Filipinos, Cacdac said.

Under Qatari law, those who join illegal gatherings could be sentenced to up to three years in jail.

The Philippine Embassy in Qatar advised the organizers to call off the gathering, says De Vega

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ed de Vega said those held originally in Qatar were 20 Filipinos. Three were released almost immediately as they were minors, while the remaining 17, comprising 12 males and five females, were detained for five days until their conditional release today.

De Vega said in an interview with ANC that the arrests took place in a pro-Duterte gathering held on a beach more than an hour away from the capital, Doha. A number of Filipinos were at the event, but only those wearing T-shirts showing support for Duterte were detained.

He denied reports that bail of P1 million was set for each of those arrested, and that Qatari authorities are anti-Duterte.

While the Duterte supporters gathered quietly far from the capital, he said social media posts were made to announce the event, which apparently sparked concern among Qatari authorities.

He reiterated that one of those detained held an expired visa, “but that was not the reason for his arrest.”

De Vega did not deny that the Philippine Embassy in Doha had prior knowledge of the gathering as it was announced on social media, but stressed that the staff there had advised the organizers not to push ahead with gathering as it was too dangerous.

He said a number complied with the request, but many others did not.

Contrary to what Duterte supporters claim, officers at the Embassy were not the ones who had tipped off Qatari police about the gathering.

“We had absolutely nothing to do with the arrests,” he said. “We’re not the ones in power. We cannot tell Qatari authorities to arrest them.

Both Cacdac and De Vega have warned Filipino workers overseas to observe the laws in their host countries.

“Ang mensahe ay mag-ingat lang po. Siguraduhing sundin ang batas, ang mga regulasyon ng host countries,” Cacdac said.

‘Green shirts’ warning by HK Police not verified, says PCG

 

Still shot from a video purporting to show HK police officers inspecting green shirts 

The Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong has said there has been “no definitive finding” on reports circulating in the community that Filipinos wearing green shirts were accosted by the police last Sunday, Mar. 30.

Videos shown on social media show a number of police officers approaching a group of Filipinos camped at what looked like Tamar near Central, and asking to inspect green shirts in their possession.

No arrests were apparently made.

A number of Filipino migrants groups gathered in several places across Hong Kong on this day to show support for former Philippine president Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is detained at The Hague by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

Social media posts showed gatherings being held in Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, and Repulse Bay.

Duterte’s 80^th birthday on Mar 28 sparked similar protests by Filipino groups at The Hague and several countries, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. In Qatar, 20 Filipinos were arrested in a pro-Duterte beach gathering held just outside Doha.

Lady drivers in HK hold birthday party for Duterte, who turned 80 on Mar 28 (Facebook photo)

Vice Consul George Soriano who heads the assistance to nationals section said the initial information they got from the police was that the reports about green-shirted people being arrested “have been taken out of context.”

The police reportedly gave assurance that no significance was attached to the wearing of green shirts but promised to verify further with the frontline officers involved.

Soriano said an advisory or a clarification may be issued, depending on the police findings.

Hong Kong has recently tightened regulations against political gatherings, particularly in public places. Groups that recently invited candidates in the Philippines’ midterm election which starts on Apr 13 for overseas voters, have been told by police not to display banners or posters showing support for any candidate or political party.

However, Makabayan candidates managed to hold their proclamation rally in a Jordan hotel and a subsequent meet-up with Filipino community leaders in Central, while former President Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, held a bigger campaign rally in Wanchai’s Southorn Stadium on Mar 9.

 

 

 

PCG to close on Apr 9, 17-20

 

PCG advisory about the closures

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has announced that it will close on the following dates: Apr 9 for Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), Apr 17 for Maundy Thursday, and Apr 20 for Easter Sunday.

However, since the PCG is closed regularly on Fridays and Saturdays, the Easter break will effectively run for four days at least, from Apr 17 to 20.

It could even extend to Easter Monday, Apr 21, which has always been in the list of public holidays in Hong Kong.  However, it is not included in the official list of dates when the PCG will be closed.

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Thus, migrant workers and all other people who need to transact business with the PCG will need to take this long break into account, and plan their visit there in advance.

The advisory also does not mention the Ching Ming holiday on Friday, Apr 4, as it is one of the two days when the PCG is closed as part of its regular schedule.

The PCG is given authority, in line with guidelines from the Department of Foreign Affairs, to close on certain public holidays in both the Philippines and Hong Kong.

For 2025, the DFA list has 20 days in the year when the PCG in Hong Kong will be closed, apart from its regular days off on Fridays and Saturdays. To see the dates, please check this link: https://hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph/89-holidays

 

Pinay HK resident jailed in $1.2M money laundering case

 

Another Filipina was jailed for 10 months today for money laundering after she admitted her role in dealing with $1.2 million proceeds of crime.

Jessebel Questo, a 47-year-old Hong Kong resident who works as a cleaner, was meted the jail term after pleading guilty to the charge of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable crime, in violation of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

She pleaded guilty to allowing the use of her Hang Seng Bank account in money laundering, having received deposits of $1,200,321.71 from Nov. 9 to Dec. 2, 2022.

Questo’s conviction also activated a one-month suspended sentence that was meted to her in a 2022 case in the Kowloon City Court.

But Principal Magistrate Don So ordered that the old penalty run at the same time as the new jail term.

Sentencing of DH over laundering of $533K put off

  

A Filipina domestic helper pleaded guilty today at Eastern Court to allowing her two bank accounts to be used for laundering a total of $533,000, but her sentencing was put off to April 15 pending a background report.

In the meantime, Susana Echevaria, 57 years old, will remain in jail.

Basahin ang detalye!

Principal Magistrate Don So ordered the background check after Echevaria pleaded guilty to both counts of “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable crime,” in violation of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

The first charge arose from the total of $413,000.21 that flowed in and out of her Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. account between the 16^th and 29^th of August 2019.

The second charge involved her Hang Seng Bank account which had deposits and withdrawals totalling  $120,000 between the 4^th and 13^th of September 2019.

Ex-musician ordered arrested for missing 2nd day of money laundering trial

 

Ledesma after District Court hearing on Jan. 4, 2024 (File photo)

A former musician charged with laundering about HK$5.55 million in illicit funds through his bank account almost five years ago, was ordered arrested today after he jumped bail on the second day of his trial at the District Court.

Jose Rizaldo R. Ledesma, who is said to go by two other names and is 58 years old, also had his cash bail of $300 forfeited by Judge G. Lam, who ordered that he not be allowed to post bail once arrested.

The three-day trial started yesterday (March 31) at the District Court’s Tsuen Wan building, with the prosecutor making the opening statement. Today, it could not start because he could not be found, even outside the court room.

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Ledesma is charged with “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence,” commonly known as money laundering, which is contrary to section 25(1) and (3) of the Organized Crimes Ordinance, Cap 455. The offence is punishable by up to 14 years in jail and a maximum fine of $5 million.

Ledesma, who is also known as Jose Rizaldo Raymundo Ledesma and Tose Rizhido R. Leoesma, is accused of having laundered a total of 5,500 Euros and USD706,468.21 in his Bank of China account between Aug 5, 2020 and Oct 21, 2020.

On Jan 4 last year, after a hearing at the District Court, Ledesma said he had told the police he had no knowledge of the illegal transactions made using his account. He said he lost control over it shortly after collecting the $10,000 Covid aid relief from the government, which was handed out to Hong Kong permanent residents in July 2020.

He has since pleaded not guilty to the charge, which resulted in the trial being scheduled for March 31 to April 2.

Filipino driver on trial for murder of FDH girlfriend

The accused assaulted the victim in a subdivided flat on this street in Wan Chai

A Filipino driver who is accused of killing his domestic worker-girlfriend more than three years ago is on trial at the High Court for murder.

On the first day of his trial on Friday, Bernie Macatangay Valencia, 45, admitted repeatedly punching Filipina Ivy Villaluz Quiabang, then 37, in the head on Dec. 22, 2021, but said he did not intend to kill her.

“I plead not guilty to murder, but I plead guilty to manslaughter,” Valencia said when asked for his plea.

His lawyers said Valencia did not intend to kill or inflict serious bodily harm on the deceased, with what they described as a “dangerous act.”

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But the prosecutor alleged it was Valencia’s assault on Ivy, and subsequent failure to take her to the hospital, that led to her death.

In her opening statement, the prosecutor told the jury that a fight between Valencia and Quiabang after a Christmas party had turned violent on their return to their subdivided unit on Stone Nullah Lane in Wan Chai.

Valencia, who was at the time applying for a new visa as FDH with driving duties, threw several punches on Quiabang, leaving her badly bruised and unable to get up or eat properly.

The prosecutor said that although he could see that Ivy was in bad shape Valencia did not call 999 for help. He waited until the next day to ask fellow tenants at the subdivided flat to check his girlfriend.

Her friends later said the domestic worker had become incontinent that they became alarmed and called the police.

Quiabang was already in a coma when she was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital, and larter moved to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital after she was found to have suffered a brain hemorrhage. She was immediately operated on but never regained consciousness.

The single mother of two passed on at 7:52 am on Jan. 2, 2023, the day she was supposed to move in with a new employer.

The prosecutor said Valencia did not tell paramedics and the police about the assault, but only said his girlfriend was “sleeping.”

The prosecution will rely on the testimonies of 18 witnesses, a surveillance camera footage, social media messages retrieved from the defendant’s digital devices and an hour-long interview he had with investigators, to prove its case.

The trial before Judge William Tam is set for 12 days.

 

7 months jail for conspiracy to defraud Immigration Department

 

Immigration Department

A Filipina was jailed for seven months today after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud by lying to an Immigration officer that she would work as a domestic helper for a person named in the employment contract that she submitted when she applied for a work visa.

Chonalyn Talipnao, 46 years old, was handed her sentence at Shatin Court by Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong after she admitted violating section 159C(6) of the Crimes Ordinance, which prescribes a maximum jail term of 14 years.

Basahin ang detalye!

The complaint by the Immigration Department said Talipnao conspired with a person known as James to defraud the director of Immigration and his officers “by dishonestly and falsely representing” to them that she had been employed by a certain Tang See-lan as a domestic helper.

Such falsehood induced the officers to “act contrary to their public duty, namely to grant (Talipnao) permission to enter and remain in Hong Kong in circumstances which they would not otherwise have granted.”

The offense was committed between Oct. 3, 2022 and April 2023, the complaint added.

HK has new Philippine Consul-General

One of the rare public photos of incoming Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr 

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong is set to welcome its new consul general, Romulo Victor Manzano Israel, Jr.

ConGen Israel will be taking up the top post in the city after serving as consul general in South Korea, which is now headed by Ambassador Tess Dizon De Vega.

Ambassador De Vega, who once served as deputy consul general in Hong Kong and was widely popular in the Filipino community here, describes her deputy as a “good guy, very patient and malumanay.”

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“Personally I was hoping he would stay on longer in Korea but this is a good opportunity for him to head a post, and one of the most important ones at that,” she said.

Congen Israel will replace Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, who has returned to the head office of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila after nearly seven years of active leadership in the PCG in Hong Kong, first as deputy consul general, then as consul general in January 2024.

Congen Israel is 54 years old, married to Catherine Joy Pineda Israel with whom he has two children, Mathew Vincent and Aleithea Clare.

He comes to Hong Kong after 25 years of being with the foreign service, a big part of which he spent dealing with migrant workers’ concerns.

Congen Israel worked as deputy to Ambassador Tess de Vega (center) in Korea

On joining the DFA in 2000 he served at the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs handling the Middle East and Africa Desk.

He was then assigned as Officer in Charge of DFA Regional Office II from 2002 to 2003.

In 2003, he was assigned to the Phil. Embassy Riyadh where he was named assistant head of the Assistance to Nationals Section, particularly dealing with women cases.

Three years later he was promoted as consul, and assumed the role of head of the Consular Section of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

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In 2013, after serving at the Head Office, he was posted as consul at the Philippine Consulate in Chicago, and after only four months, became deputy consul general.

He was then recalled for the mandatory service at the DFA head office in October 2019, when he became executive director and deputy assistant secretary at the Office of American Affairs.

In January 2022 he was sent abroad again, to serve as consul general at the Embassy in Seoul.

Congen Israel took up AB Pre-Divinity, and Masters in Degree Theology major in pastoral ministry, both at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

Before joining the foreign service he volunteered in church groups involved in promoting free and honest elections, and also served in religious missions helping urban and rural poor communities.

One of the things that would surely make him feel right at home in Hong Kong is the presence of a local chapter of the Knights of Rizal. He is, after all, the Regional Commander for Asia of the Order of Knights of Rizal, and concurrent commander for the Korea chapter.

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Filipino tourist jailed 30 months for 63 live turtles in luggage

 

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

A Filipino tourist who brought 63 taped-up live turtles in his luggage when he arrived at the airport on March 31 last year, has been jailed by the District Court for 30 months for violation of two animal protection laws.

Dexter V. Tabora, 37 years old, had pleaded guilty last March 18 to two violations of the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance and one violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance.

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Deputy District Judge Terence Wai handed down last Friday (March 28) a sentence of 24 months for the first charge, 16 months for the second charge, and six months for the third charge. 

But since Judge Wai made the first and second sentences run at the same time, to be followed by the third sentence, the prison term added up to 30 months.

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Tabora was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on March 31 last year, after the endangered turtles valued at $819,000, were allegedly found in his possession, according to the Customs and Excise Department, which filed the complaint against him.

Tabora arrived in Hong Kong from Malaysia and was in transit to the Philippines when he was arrested.

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 the same law.

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 “in a way which might cause them needless or avoidable suffering,” the complaint said.

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

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HK sends search & rescue team to quake-hit Myanmar

The quake reduced a building under contruction in Bangkok into a heap of rubble (AFP photo)

The Hong Kong government sent a 51-strong search and rescue team to earthquake-stricken Myanmar this Saturday afternoon. The group was sent off by top government officials led by Chief Executive John Lee.

More than 1,000 people are reported to have been killed in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and was felt all the way in Thailand on Friday afternoon.

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In the Thai capital Bangkok, at least six people have been found dead, 26 injuired and 47 missing, mostly from a construction site near the capital’s popular Chatuchak market. Meanw

hile, the Philippine government has said no Filipino has been hurt in the tremor, contrary to unverified reports that circulated earlier.

But the Philippine Embasses in Thailand and Myanmar have advised Filipinos in the two countries “to remain calm and vigilant” and monitor updates on the situation only from credible sources.

A building in Mandalay was left leaning on one side (Reuters photo)

In Myanmar, the military-led government said in a statement Saturday that 1,002 people have already been found dead and another 2,376 injured, with 30 others missing.

The numbers are expected to still rise, with the government saying “detailed figures are still being collected.”

The earthquake, said to be one of the strongest to ever hit Myanmar, was centered near the capital Mandalay. It was followed by several strong aftershocks, with one measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale.

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Across many areas in the country, buildings were toppled, roads damaged, bridges collapsed, and at least one dam burst its banks.

In neighboring Thailand, hardest hit was Bangkok, where many people live in high-rise buildings.

The massive building that was left in rubbles was a 33-storey high-rise being built by a Chinese firm for the Thai government. Witnesses said the building wobbled, then crashed to the ground in a massive plume of dust that sent people screaming and scurrying away.

HK top officials send off the city's Myanmar-bound rescue team 

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government has expressed sympathy to the people of Myanmar in the wake of tragedy, particularly the families of the victims.

In addition, it immediately set aside $30 million from the Disaster Relief Fund to help the emergency relief operation in Myanmar.

Hong Kong’s rescue and relief team that flew to Myanmar was led by the Deputy Chief Fire Officer of the Fire Services Department (FSD), Cheu Yu-kok. It comprised 40 members of the FSD which include firemen, ambulancemen and fire services workshops personnel, as well as officers from the Security Bureau, the Immigration Department and the HA.

The team brought along two search and rescue dogs, as well as about nine tons of equipment which includes life detectors and masonry cutting machines, an automatic satellite tracking antenna system, and relief supplies.

They will join local rescue teams in Myanmar in the search and relief operations.

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3 Pinays jailed 12 months each for laundering $2m

 

Three Filipina domestic helpers were each jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty at Eastern Court to letting their bank accounts be used to launder money from crime in sums ranging from $200,000 to $1.4 million.

Noemi Pellerin, 47 years old, Melanie Lizardo, 35, and Irene Castro, 36, were charged together as the use of their bank accounts to launder a total of a little over $2 million happened almost simultaneously.

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Principal Magistrate Don So handed down the sentences to them on Friday (March 28) after they admitted their part in dealing with proceeds of a crime, which is punishable under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

The charge against Pellerin arose from the deposits and withdawals fom her Standard Chartered Bank account, that totalled $400,400.49 between Apil 3 and July 31 in 2023.

Basahin ang detalye!

Lizardo’s case arose from the $200,394.46 that flowed in and out of her Standard Chartered Bank account between March 28 and July 31, 2023.

Castro had the biggest amount, at $1,400, 239.32, that passed through her Standard Chartered Bank account between April 3 and July 31, 2023.

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OWWA to start issuing e-card to OFWs in HK

 

The OWWA e-card is recognized as a government-issued identity document

Hong Kong will be the next overseas post after Taiwan where the e-card for overseas Filipino workers will be issued directly by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

This was revealed by OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio during a press briefing at Malacanang on Friday, where he joined Palace Press Officer Claire Castro. He did not, however, say when he will be in Hong Kong for this purpose.

“We are going to Hong Kong, dadalhin namin yung machine para yung mga taga Hong Kong mabibigyan ng e-card,” said Ignacio.

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He said OWWA had previously extended the same service to OFWs in Taiwan.

While the e-card can be secured online, the physical card is currently only issued at the OFW lounges at terminals 1 and 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Department of Migrant Workers Central Office in Mandaluyong and the OWWA-NCR Regional Office in Quezon City.

The physical card can be currently secured at OFW lounges at NAIA

With the machine for printing the e-card being brought to Hong Kong, OFWs will be able to obtain the ID-sized e-card without having to leave the city. And according to the OWWA chief, it could be printed within only five minutes.

The e-card is recognized as a valid government identification card, and is primarily used to make transactions with OWWA faster. It also serves as an exit clearance each time an OFW leaves the country.

To be eligible for the e-card, one must be a returning OFW (or Balik Manggagawa) with an active OWWA membership for at least 90 days, a valid overseas employment certificate (OEC), OFW Pass or OEC exemption number, and a valid passport.

Basahin ang detalye!

At the press briefing, the first question asked of Ignacio was how OFWs were reacting to the no-remittance calls by supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte in protest at his arrest and detention in line with a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Ignacio said he had just arrived from a visit to Singapore and Thailand, and no one had brought this up with him there.

“OFWs never mentioned this to us,” he said. “Kung ano lang ang basic (need) yun lang ang hinihingi.” (They just asked us to provide them with their basic needs).

“Doon pa rin sila umiikot sa pangangailangan nila.” (They remain focused on their needs).

The gathering outside the ICC was both a celebration of Duterte's birthday and a protest

Meanwhile, hundreds of Filipinos across Europe gathered outside the ICC detention facility in The Hague on Friday to mark Duterte’s 80^th birthday with protests.

His supporters who gathered from morning until 3pm called for Duterte to be freed, and condemned the government of incumbent president Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for surrendering him to the ICC.

Those who opposed the call staged their own rally afterwards, calling on the ICC to make sure Duterte is held to account for the thousands of Filipinos killed during his bloody war on drugs, from when he was mayor of Davao City, until he became the country’s president starting in 2016.

Across the Philippines, thousands of Duterte supporters staged separate rallies, with the biggest one being held in his Davao City bailiwick.

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Pinoy gets 4 months’ jail in $147K money laundering case

 

 

A Filipino construction worker was jailed yesterday for four months for letting criminals use his bank account to launder their earnings totalling $147,394.

Marlon Cayambas, 48, had earlier pleaded guilty to dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable crime, in violation of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

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Basahin ang detalye!

Acting Principal Magistrate Leung Ka-kie Leung gave Cayambas a starting point of six months in jail and gave him a one third discount.

The case arose from the inflow and outflow of money totalling $147,394 in his HSBC account between 15th and 21st  of September, 2021.

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