SC strikes down linking OEC to SSS contributions

 

The Supreme Court says OFWs should not be forced to pay for SSS before getting an OEC

All overseas Filipino workers must be covered by social security benefits as required by Republic Act No 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, according to a Philippine Supreme Court in a decision handed down on Mar 26.

However, the SC declared that requiring land-based OFWs to pay their SSS contributions before they can be issued with an overseas employment certificate (OEC) violates their constitutional right to work and travel.

In a decision written by Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, the SC en banc declared as unconstitutional Rule 14, Section 7 (iii) of the Implementing Rules and Regulation of RA 11199 requiring advance payment of SSS contributions as a precondition to the issuance of the OEC.

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All concerned government agencies such as the SSS, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Department of Labor and Employment (or Department of Migrant Workers now) are permanently prohibited from implementing the requirement.

Migrante International, which led the filing of the case with the Supreme Court, hailed the decision as a victory in its long-running campaign to reverse all mandatory collection of fees from OFWs which were made part of the law during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Migrante also recalled in a statement how it led the protest against the mandatory collection of PhilHealth contributions, compulsory insurance for all OFWs, payments for affidavits of support, and many other oppressive collection of fees from OFWs.

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In upholding the argument that linking the OEC to SSS contributions was unconstitutional, the SC said: “To truly honor the sacrifices of our OFWs, often hailed as modern-day heroes, it is crucial to refrain from oppressive policies that unfairly burden them,” said the country’s highest court.

But at the same time, the SC ruled that all OFWs must be covered by the SSS law, calling it both as a benefit and a right.

“[Mandatory social security coverage] is especially beneficial to OFWs, who leave their families behind to work abroad. Aside from enduring separation from their loved ones, OFWs often face harsh working conditions, including long hours, excessive workloads and inadequate safety measures. Through coverage in the SSS, OFWs and their beneficiaries are safeguarded…,” said the SC.

The Court thus placed the responsibility of ensuring OFWs’ social security coverage on the Department of Foreign Affairs and the DMW, by securing agreements with host countries that will ensure foreign employers are made to pay their share.  

Migrante and other petitioners had sought to nullify RA 11199 and its IRR, saying it discriminated against land-based OFWs who are treated as self-employed workers, as their foreign employers are not compelled by law to pay their share.

In contrast, sea-based OFWs are covered by standard contracts that require recruitment agencies to cover their SSS contributions.

For HK OFWs, this would have meant paying around Php5,500 in monthly contributions, which amounts to 15% of the minimum wage for migrant workers here. Under the SSS charter, employers are supposed to pay 10% of the monthly salary, while the worker pays 5%.

According to Migrante, categorizing land-based OFWs as self-paying members was discriminatory, while making the payment of SSS contributions a pre-condition to the issuance of OEC was unfair, and restricted their right to work and travel.

The SC agreed that linking the OEC to mandatory SSS contribution contradicts the principle of protecting workers’ rights as OFWs are forced to pay up even before they started work or received salaries. The SC also ruled that this violates the right to travel for land-based OFWs.

However, it said that the law did not discriminate against land-based OFWs as it was only through necessity that both the employer and the employee’s contributions are levied against them.

The SC said RA 11199 places the burden of ensuring proper collection from foreign employers on the DFA and DOLE (now DMW), suggesting this could be done through negotiating social security and labor agreements with the host countries.

In his separate concurring and dissenting opinion, Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen agreed that the IRR which links the collection of SSS contributions to the issuance of the OEC unfairly shifts the financial burden on land-based OFWs for the lack of labor and security agreements.

It is thus discriminatory to compel OFWs whose employers are not bound by bilateral agreements to pay their share of the SSS contributions. He said the real issue lies in the lack of a legal mechanism to require foreign employers to pay their share, a system that the State must establish.

In her dissenting opinion, Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier argued that the payment of SSS contributions as a precondition to the issuance of OECs is a valid and efficient way to ensure compulsory coverage before deployment in the absence of social security or labor agreements with host countries. 

While this imposes a burden on workers, it is essential to protect their welfare and that of their families, she said.

Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa wrote a separate concurring and dissenting opinion, where he said it is not discriminatory to make land-based OFWs to pay both employee and employer contribution, as they can demand for a higher salary, or collect it from the employer later.

He also said linking the OEC to SSS payments does not violate the land-based OFWs’ right to travel as they are not prevented from leaving the country.

 

DC starts hearing DH’s cases of theft, misleading police

 

Estate where thefts were alleged to have taken place

A domestic helper appeared at the District Court for the first time on Thursday on two charges of stealing 10 watches from her employer, and then misleading the police by reporting a burglary on their house in Kowloon Tong.

Vanessa Vallespin, 39 years old, was returned to jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on Jun 19.

She initially appeared at the Kowloon City Court before the case was elevated to the District Court because of the seriousness of the charges.

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In the first charge, Vallespin is accused of stealing a watch from her male employer Gary Lau at Sunderland Estate in Kowloon Tong on Dec. 2, 2024, according to information filed by the Kowloon City Police.

Two days later, she allegedly stole nine more watches belonging to the employer.

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On the same day, it was alleged that she had "knowingly misled" a police officer by giving false information about the house being burgled by unknown persons.

Section 64(b) of the Police Force Ordinance penalizes such offence with a fine at level 1 ($2,000) and imprisonment for six months.

16 persons arrested in latest anti-illegal work raids

 

Two of those arrested are led away for questioning

A total of 16 people were arrested in three consecutive days of anti-illegal work operations mounted by the Immigration Department.

Those arrested in raids carried out from Mar 31 to Apr 2 comprised 14 suspected illegal workers and two employers.

The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four men and 10 women, aged 34 to 59. Among them, three women were suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card.

Two men, aged 35 and 67, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.

A statement from Immigration again warned that violating a condition of stay in Hong Kong is a serious offence for which a prison sentence is prescribed.

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Those who are caught working while on tourist visas are not allowed to take up any work, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Those who are foreign domestic helper visas are also not allowed to take up work outside of their employer’s house.

Offenders who fall in these two types of categories face a maximum jail term of two years, and a fine of up to $50,000.

If the offender is an overstayer, non-refoulement claimant (asylum seeker) or an illegal immigrant face a higher prison term of up to three years, plus $50,000 fine.

The penalty is more severe if the illegal worker is also found in possession, or is using a fake HK identity card. The prescribed maximum sentence is 10 years’ imprisonment and fine of $100,000.

Employers of illegal workers face more serious consequences, as the maximum fine that can be imposed is $500,000, apart from imprisonment for up to 10 years. An immediate custodial sentence is also prescribed.

 

 

DH freed after burglary conspiracy charge dropped

 

A Filipina domestic helper charged at Eastern Court with conspiracy to commit burglary, walked free yesterday after prosecutors withdrew the case.

M. A., 40 years old, was brought to court on suspicion that she conspired with an unknown person to enter her employer’s home in Hong Kong Parkview in Tai Tam, to steal $745,000 worth of items last Jan. 26.

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The police complaint filed last Feb. 11 accused her of letting in the “trespasser with intent to steal” one Patek Philippe watch, one Audemars Piguet watch, one gold ring and one gold necklace, with a total value of $745,300.

The case against her was violation of section 11(1)(a) of the Theft Ordinance and section 159A and 159C of the Crimes Ordinance.

With the charge withdrawn, Principal Magistrate Don So also cancelled the next hearing which was scheduled for April 8.

 

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.

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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 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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