9 people arrested in pre-Christmas raids vs illegal work

Immigration warns estate residents against contractors who hire illegal workers (File)

A two-day operation on Christmas week resulted in nine people being arrested on suspicion of carrying out illegal work. 

A press statement from the Immigration Department said the raids were carried out in multiple target locations, including food markets and event venues, from Dec 21 to yesterday, Dec 23.

Those arrested included six suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and two overstayers.

The suspected illegal workers comprised three men and three women, aged 18 to 58. A woman aged 43 was suspected of having employed them.

An investigation into the suspected employer is continuing and the authorities are not ruling out further arrests.

To further combat illegal work, Immigration officers visited a new housing estate in Sheung Shui and using a publicity vehicle, distributed leaflets to residents and property management staff, urging them to avoid employing illegal workers.

Anyone who knowingly engaged contractors who use illegal workers may also face criminal prosecution.

In its advisory, Immigration warned that anyone who engages in illegal work in violation of their visa conditions may be imprisoned for up to two years and pay a $50,000 fine.

If the worker is an overstayer or illegal immigrant the maximum prison term is three years. In addition, the Immigration director may order the deportation of the offender, and prevented from ever returning to Hong Kong.

Employers who employ illegal workers face a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000. The High Court has decreed that immediate custodial sentence must be imposed on employers of illegal workers.

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

 

5 Filipinas arrested in suspected credit card scam

 

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

Police have arrested five Filipino women and a Nepali man, aged between 35 and 56, for the alleged theft of a credit card which was then used in two separate transactions totaling around $10,800.

The six were arrested Tuesday night in a Wan Chai bar, in the wake of a complaint from a 55-year-old British man who reported the loss of his credit card while he was enjoying himself in the area last month.

The man later discovered his card had been used to purchase goods.

DETAILS HERE

The Wan Chai District Anti-Triad Unit launched an investigation after receiving the complaint on Nov 23.

They made the arrest after reviewing  CCTV footage in the area and conducting an intelligence analysis.

The six suspects were taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.

Basahin ang detalye!

During the operation officers seized a number of electronic payment terminals, transaction receipts, CCTV hard drives, and cash, indicating this was not a one-off case.

Police told The SUN all the Filipino women hold HKID cards, which means they are legally staying in Hong Kong, but It’s not known if they are permanent residents or are on employment visa.

The investigation into the case is continuing.

Pinay’s overstaying case moves after a year in jail

 

Eastern Court

A Filipina charged with breaching her condition of stay by overstaying for nearly two years will be able to enter her plea, more than a year after she was arrested and detained.

Joan Aguli, 44 years old, appeared today before Magistrate Kestrel Lam at Eastern Court on this last of four charges originally filed against her following her arrest on June 27 last year.

Magistrate Lam scheduled the next hearing for Jan. 20 next year to register her plea on the charge of breach of visa conditions, provided under  section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance. He ordered that she be returned to jail.

DETAILS HERE

The condition of stay imposed by an Immigration Assistant permitted her to remain in Hong Kong as a domestic helper until Sept. 6, 2022, but she remained in Hong Kong until her arrest on June 27, 2024, the police complaint said.

She has since applied for non-refoulement but has been turned down.

Magistrate Lam’s order was silent on the charge of possession of a dangerous drug -- 0.70 grams of a crystalline solid containing methamphetamine hydrochloride (otherwise known as shabu or ice) -- because she was fined $500 for it on Nov. 27 last year after her lawyer argued that she was using the drug to fight depression.

In addition to the drug charge, Aguli was also convicted of two counts of theft for shoplifting, for which she was sentenced to three months each, to run at the same time.

Basahin ang detalye!

In a separate but similar case in the same court, Emelita Arista, 56 years old, is accused of remaining in Hong Kong for almost 13 years after her visitor visa expired on April 10, 2004, until her arrest on Feb. 19, 2017.

Magistrate Lam adjourned her case to June 23 next year and allowed her bail of $1,000.

Job offers pour in for sacked Tai Po fire victim

 

Vame (right) recalls her ordeal in an interview while comforted
by Johannie Tong, a social worker from the Mission for Migrant Workers

Not a few people were touched by the story of Filipina domestic worker Vame Mariz Verador, who lost her job nine days after going through the most horrific ordeal during the Nov 26 fire in Tai Po.

After carrying her terrified two-year-old ward down 17 storeys to safety, she went back into the burning building to save the toddler’s grandmother.

Until now, Vame still tears up recalling the horror of fleeing the burning building, then rushing back in amid the fiery debris to save the elderly lady.

DETAILS HERE

But she was hurt even more when her recruitment agency informed her on Dec. 5 that her employer had decided to terminate their contract because of financial concerns.

 Luckily, the Mission for Migrant Workers was there to help. The charity organization immediately put her up at its shelter, the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, and arranged for her regular physiotherapy and counseling sessions.

But more unexpected help came. As stories of her bravery spread on the internet, a number of Hong Kong residents began calling up the Mission to offer her employment.

According to Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio, they have received at least 20 such job offers so far.

Basahin ang detalye!

“But we are holding off because of course, we need to know their background, and whether they will be a good fit for Vame,” said Antonio.

Astonishingly even Hong Kong’s Labour Department has contacted Vame to inform her that an employer wanted to hire her.

Vame and other fire survivors joined mourners at the funeral rites for Maryan

“Nagulat nga po ako,” (I was taken by surprise) Vame said about the unprecedented offer last Friday, during the wake of the lone Filipino fatality in the fire, Maryan Esteban.

But Vame said it was not the first time that somebody from Labour had reached out to her.

 “Lagi nilang tinatanong kung kumusta ako at kung may tulong daw ba akong kailangan ,” she said. (They often ask how I am doing and if there is anything I needed help with).

Though grateful for the job offers that continue to pour in, the mother of four said she does not think she is already fit to go back to work, saying her back still hurts a lot. She also needs to get more counseling to help her overcome the trauma of her near-brush with death.

But as always, her family, especially her children, remains as her biggest concern, so she is not closing the door to signing up for another contract. Just not yet.

For now, Vame is subsisting from help, mainly from the Mission and Bethune House, but also from a number of private donors who were moved by her story.

Along with 110 other FDWs employed at Wang Fuk House, Vame also stands to receive a special subsidy of $20,000 from the Hong Kong government, and a promised $2,000 in Octopus credit.

She will also have at least three months to decide on whether she should remain in Hong Kong to work, or go back home to be with her family, in line with the Immigration Department’s recent decision to relax its rules to benefit the fire victims.

 

Maryan to be buried on Christmas eve

 

Maryan had planned to marry this December to her OFW partner, Tintin

The sole Filipino fatality in the tragic Tai Po fire last month, Maryan P. Esteban, 39 years old, will be buried on December 24 in her hometown of Jones, Isabela.

This is according to Maryan’s partner, Tintin, who is already in Isabela for the final funeral rites. She will be joined by Maryan’s 10-year-old son, her parents and other relatives.

Maryan’s remains arrived in Manila on Saturday, but could only be flown on to Tuguegarao, Cagayan the next day, and by land, to Jones.

DETAILS HERE

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration head PY Caunan ang Agimat Party List Rep. Bryan Revilla were at the airport in Manila to pay respect to Maryan and to ensure her family would get all the assistance they needed.

Secretary Cacdac called Maryan a “heroine” in his Facebook post on the arrival of the OFW’s remains.

Basahin ang detalye!

“We received her at the airport and offered her our prayers and respect as a slain OFW heroine,” said Cacdac.

Tintin said Administrator Caunan would be joining Maryan’s family Monday night for the second day of the wake, to again extend the government’s condolences and offer help.

Caunan, Cacdac and Revilla (middle 3) pay respects to Maryan in Manila

Tintin said Maryan’s family decided to move the burial forward to prevent the further decomposition of her body.

Maryan died along with five-year-old ward Hannah, whom she had looked after since she was a baby, in the fire that broke out at Wang Fung Court in Tai Po on Nov 26. Their bodies were found separately two days later.

Ten migrant domestic workers died in the tragedy, with Maryan the only Filipino. The rest were all Indonesians.

Tintin said she and Maryan had agreed to go home together just before Christmas so they could marry before a Christian pastor in Manila, with the blessing of the late OFW’s family.

Despite Maryan’s death, Tintin said she will abide by her promise to marry her in a ceremony to be held early on Tuesday.

Only this time, Tintin will be the only one reciting her marriage vows before the pastor, and beside Maryan’s lifeless body.

 

Pinoy jailed 8 months, fined $4k for theft, drug possession

 

The theft allegedly took place at Mandarin Oriental (Google Maps photo)

A Filipino bartender pleaded guilty at the start of his trial at Eastern Court Monday for theft and drug possession, resulting in a sentence of eight months and a fine of $4,000. 

In addition, he was ordered to reimburse $6,099 to the person he stole money from.

A.J. de Guzman, 26 years old, pleaded not guilty last Oct. 30 to violating section 9 of the Theft Ordinance and sections 8(1)(a) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. But he changed his mind just as Deputy Magistrate Chung Wing-sze entered the courtroom.

De Guzman pleaded guilty to the theft charge filed by the Central Police, accusing him of taking one recycle bag belonging to a certain Tsun Man-yee on Jan. 24, 2025 at "The Aubrey", a restaurant in the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong on Connaught Road, Central.

DETAILS HERE

The bag contained one wallet, a Hong Kong identity card, a Mainland travel permit card, a driving license, two Oyster cards with card holder, one mobile phone, one E-reader, one Hang Seng Bank ATM card, one MOX bank credit card, two The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited ATM cards, one Standard Chartered Bank credit card and $350 in cash, all owned by Tsun.

For this, Magistrate Chung sentenced him to 12 months in jail but deducted the one third discount for his guilty plea. He also ordered de Guzman to reimburse $6,099 to Tsun.

Basahin ang detalye!

The second charge, for which de Guzman was fined $4,000, arose after police officers searched his belongings later the same day, while he was in front of a shop on 45 Pottinger Street in Central.

Found in his possession were two hand-rolled cigarettes containing a total of 0.09 grams of cannabis (marijuana) in herbal form.

15 imported workers among 43 people arrested in anti-illegal work raids

 

Immigration officers carry out anti-illegal work raids even at night, targeting restaurants

There has been no let-up in the Immigration Department’s crackdown on illegal work in Hong Kong.

In its latest operation conducted over five days, or from Dec 14 to 18, that targeted more than 100 workplaces, a total of 43 persons were arrested, and among them was possibly the biggest group of imported workers that has been arrested for suspected illegal work.

According to a statement issued by the Department, the 15 imported workers were suspected of breaching their conditions of stay by performing duties not at their contractual workplace or were not stipulated in their contract.

DETAILS HERE

Another two people were found to have entered Hong Kong as visitors, and as such were not allowed to take up any job, paid or unpaid. Four were overstayers.

In a targeted joint operation with the Labour Department, three suspected illegal workers, all non-ethnic Chinese, were arrested for engaging in food delivery work. They were all found to hold recognizance forms that prohibit them from taking up any employment in Hong Kong.

In other operations that targeted different industries and locations like renovation flats, a leather repair store, warehouses and restaurants, 14 suspected illegal workers aged 22 to 62 were arrestd, along with three employers and four overstayers.

Basahin ang detalye!

Among those arrested, one woman was found to possess a forged Hong Kong identity card.

Three Hong Kong female residents aged 62 to 88 were also arrested on suspicion of employing the illegal workers.

Immigration said an investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and did not rule out further arrests.

Under sentencing guidelines, illegal work is usually punished with a custodial sentence.

Those who violate their visa conditions face a maximum of two years in jail, plus a fine of $50,000. The prison sentence goes up to three years if the illegal worker is an illegal immigrant or overstayer.

Those found in possession of fake HKID cards can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, and fined a maximum of $100,000.

Employers face a fine of up to $500,000 and a maximum jail term of 10 years. Mere failure to inspect a job applicant’s passport in case he/she does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card could result to a maximum imprisonment for one year and $150,000 in fine.

 

 

Pinoy sentenced to jail, fine, retraining for driving offenses

 

Hiram's Highway (Google Maps photo)

A Filipino male driver flagged down by a police officer while driving a private car on Hiram’s Highway in Sai Kung, has found out how seriously Hong Kong courts treat those who drink alcohol and then drive dangerously.

R. Toco, 43 years old, pleaded gulty on Friday at Kwun Tong Court before Magistrate Lau Suk-han and ended up being sentenced to jail for 14 days, a fine of $3,000 and to attend a Driving Improvement Course.

DETAILS HERE

The dangerous driving charge, for violation of section 37(1) of the Road Traffic Ordinance, arose after Toco was seen driving a private car on Hiram's Highway in Sai Kung Last Nov. 28. For this, Magistrate Lau jailed him for 14 days.

After he was stopped by a police officer who asked him to take a breath test, it was found that he had 32 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath, which exceeds the legal limit of 22. micrograms of aIcohol in 100 milliliters of breath.

Basahin ang detalye!

The drunk driving conviction for violation of section 39A(1) of the Road Traffic Ordinance, got him the fine.

For good measure, he was told to go back to driving school so he will always remember not to commit the same offense.

Filipina gets 11-month jail for $218k theft

Le Point in Tseung Kwan O (Google Maps photo)

 

A Filipina domestic helper has been jailed 11 months after pleading guilty in Kwun tong Court to the theft of $218,000 worth of jewelry from her employer.

Acting Principal Magistrate May Chung convicted Aiza Avilla, 38 years old, on Friday of violating section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, adding that her offense was made serious by her breach of her employer’s trust, having been allowed into their home.

The theft took place on July 17 this year at the employer’s fat at Le Point on King Ling Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories.

DETAILS HERE

Avilla admitted taking one gold ring, one gold bracelet, three gold necklaces, four gold bangles, and one diamond ring, valued at a total of $218,000, from female Tang Man Man.

At Eastern Court also Friday, Magistrate Kestrel Lam put off to Jan. 2 next year the sentencing of Sharina Joy Cabal, 37 years old, who pleaded guilty to three counts of theft, to await a background report that he ordered.

Cabal was remanded her in jail until the sentencing.

Basahin ang detalye!

In the first charge, Cabal admitted stealing $6,000 in cash last April 1 at her employer Alice Tse’s flat in Park Garden on Tai Hang Drive, Happy Valley.

In the second charge, she admitted stealimg $30,000 June 1 and Aug. 31 this year from the same flat.

The final theft, of one "Bulgari" watch worth $18,000, took place on on Oct. 13.in the same place,

Immigration removes 77 asylum seekers

Those removed are escorted directly to the planes that flew them back home

The Immigration Department has sent back a total of 77 asylum seekers, legally classified as non-refoulement claimants (or those seeking to remain in Hong Kong) over five consecutive days - from Dec 15 to 19.

T

DETAILS HERE

hose repatriated were classified as unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants who were either illegal immigrants or overstayers. Included among them were discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences and were sent to jail.

The removed persons comprised 38 men and 39 women.

Some removed persons are loaded onto a van before they are sent home

Under the updated removal policy which took effect on Dec 7, 2022, Immigration may in general proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review application has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance, even if an appeal was immediately lodged.

Basahin ang detalye!

Immigration says it remains committed to speeding up repatriation, and has been closely working with governments of major source countries, airline companies and other government departments to remove from Hong Kong all unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants as soon as practicable.

Funeral rites held for OFW who died in Tai Po fire

 

Fr Jay extols Maryan's sacrifices for her ward and her family

Friends and family members of Maryan Pascual Esteban, the lone Filipino casualty in the deadly fire in Tai Po, paid final respects to her at Universal Funeral Home in Hung Hom on Friday, prior to her remains being repatriated to her hometown in the Philippines.

Among those present at the ceremony were Maryan’s employers, who also lost their five-year old daughter, Hannah, in the fire.

DETAILS HERE

Maryan and Hannah were found lifeless and lying close to each other on a staircase of the building where they lived on the 24^th floor. They were reportedly awakened from a nap by a call from the girl’s parents, and told to leave the flat immediately as their building was on fire.

Maryan, who was 39,  had cared for Hannah since she was a baby.

Maryan's employers did not speak, but grief was clearly written on their faces

In his homily, Fr Jay Flandez, chaplain for Filipino Catholics in Hong Kong, extolled Maryan’s “sacrifices”, for her ward, and for the family she left behind.mb 

Basahin ang detalye!

“For Maryan, that’s probably her way, sacrificing herself for other people and her family,” said Fr. Jay. “Kung sarili lang niya ang inisip niya makakasama pa natin siya sa Christmas party.” (If she only thought of herself, we would still have her company during our Christmas parties).

Fr Jay asked everyone to pray for Maryan as well as her employers, as they also lost a loved one in the tragedy.

I did not know her, but know her great deeds, says Cynthia Tellez 

Cynthia Tellez, manager of the Mission for Migrant Workers, who helped organize the farewell service, said she did not know Maryan, but came to know her from the courageous act she did trying to take the young kid in her care to safety, even at the cost of her life.

Assistant Labour Attache Nemesia Arlan who represented the Migrant Workers Office at the service, assured everyone that the Philippine government would ensure that Maryan’s family, especially her 10-year-old son, would be given all the assistance that they need. 

She reminded all other OFWs present, including those who survived the fire that engulfed seven buildings and killed 160 people, that they could also go to them for help.

ALA Arlan does the second reading during the memorial mass

Maryan’s partner, Tintin, tried to deliver a eulogy, but ended up in tears. After the service, Tintin shared with The SUN that she was on the phone with Maryan in the final moments of her life, as she and Hannah tried to escape to safety.

“Kalma sya, pati si Hannah. Pero naputol ang connection namin paglabas nila ng bahay.” (She was calm, and so was Hannah. But our connection was cut as soon as they stepped out of the house. 

The time was 3:14pm, about 25 minutes since the first alarm was raised over the fire.

After that, Tintin and Hannah’s parents and friends started asking around if anyone had seen Maryan and Hannah who were then listed as missing. Both were found dead two days later.

Tintin (middle, in green shirt) says she and Maryan were set to marry before a pastor this December

Tintin said she was so heartbroken as she and Maryan had agreed to go home just before Christmas so they could tie the knot before a pastor in Manila.

Now that Maryan is gone, Tintin said she is determined to go ahead with the ceremony, though it will now be held in Isabela, with Maryan’s lifeless body beside her a sad reminder of what could have been.

Maryan's coffin is sealed for the flight home

Maryan’s remains will be flown home to Manila on Saturday, and brought to Jones, Isabela the day after.

The Consulate said her parents had requested for early repatriation as they wanted to say goodbye to Maryan for the last time before Christmas.

Pinoy who claimed US$10B in HSBC deposits ends in hospital

 

HSBC branch where offense took place  (Google Maps photo)  

An elderly Filipino who used a false instrument when he presented papers at a Queen’s Road Central branch of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp., purporting to show he had US$10 billion in deposits, was sentenced today to a four-month hospital stay.

This ended an eight-month ordeal at Eastern Court for Ramon Revillosa Jr, 69, who was arrested last Feb. 10 and has been in detention since, most of which was at Siu Lam psychiatric hospital, a correctional facility.

Magistrate Minnie Wat based her decision on two psychological reports ordered last Dec. 4 by Principal Magistrate  David Cheung Chi-wai, who held off on convicting Revillosa Jr after ruling that the prosecution had proven its case.

DETAILS HERE

The charge of violating section 73 of the Crimes Ordinance arose from Revillosa presenting a bank capability letter, guarantee letter and a certificate of balance, all purporting to have a value of US$10 billion and issued by HSBC, which he “knew, or believed to be, false”.

He was said to have presented the documents so bank staff Tang Wing-sheung would accept them as genuine, "and by reason of so accepting them to do or not do some act to his own, or any other's prejudice."

Using a false instrument is punishable with up to 14 years in jail.

Basahin ang detalye!

No word has been heard of the persons who accompanied him when he was arrested: a Filipino woman said to be a lawyer, a Malaysian man, a Taiwanese man and a woman from the Mainland who used a travel permit to enter Hong Kong.

The Filipina was allowed bail so she could go back to the Philippines but was told to return on a specified date, but it is not clear whether charges were filed against the three others.

New Year's Eve fireworks display cancelled

 

Last New Year's Eve fireworks display was a big spectacle

The Hong Kong government has called off the traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks display over Victoria Harbour, in the wake of the deadly Tai Po Fire that killed at least 160 people.

Instead, there will be an alternative countdown event on the Chater Road pedestrian precinct in Central, which the Hong Kong Tourism Board said is aimed at conveying “positive energy.”

 “Through this event, the HKTB hopes to convey positive energy, care, and blessings of peace to both locals and visitors, and to welcome a hopeful new year together,” HKTB said in a statement.

DETAILS HERE

Details of the countdown will be announced at a later date.

The low-key countdown to mark the New Year is in stark contrast to last year’s celebration which had “Symphony of Happiness as theme and included 12 minutes of a dazzling pyrotechnic display over Victoria Harbour, as well as live performances by local and international artists.

The annual celebration was first cancelled in 2019 because of anti-government demonstrations, and for three more years afterwards due to the pandemic.

There will be none of this dazzling display to usher in the New Year

Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Wednesday night, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan said that the government is anticipating a surge in mainland arrivals over the New Year holidays. 

Chan said New Year’s Day marks the start of a three-day-long holiday on mainland China.

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He made his statement after convening an interdepartmental meeting to oversee preparations for the expected surge in visitors from the mainland.

The measures include enhanced coordination of ports and transport, close liaison with tourism stakeholders, crowd management, real-time information, and smooth public services.