5 acquitted of indecency towards child after alleged victim changes story

 

District Court

Four Filipinos and a Bangladeshi were acquitted today of “indecent conduct towards a child under the age of 16 years” and common assault, on the third day of their trial scheduled for two weeks at District Court.

Judge Clement Lee told the five -- Benjur Macaraig, 46; Julie JR Arcega, 32; Gina Villanueva, 51; Jimwoel Macaraig, 53 years old; and MD Moazzim-hossain, 42 -- that they had no case to answer after the alleged victim, identified only as X, told the court through a video link that her earlier accusations were a result of a bad dream.

X, now 13 years old and was 10 when she claimed to have been attacked inside their hut on Kung Om Road in Yuen Long on Jan. 3, 2023, was responding to cross examination by a defense lawyer when she admitted that her accusations were from a bad dream.

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She repeated her statement when asked by the lawyer to do so.

All the five as well as X’s parents, are holders of a recognizance form that identifies them as non-refoulement claimants seeking to stop the Hong Kong government from sending them to their home countries.

Only three of the five were set free after Judge Lee’s ruling, as two of them were detained by other courts for unrelated and pending charges of breach of conditions of stay filed by the Immigration Department.

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As non-refoulement claimants, it is illegal for them to accept employment, whether paid or unpaid.

One of them, Arcega, was arrested while working illegally in a door-to-door company’s warehouse, The other, Villanueva, was under detention on an Immigration case.

The trial began last Monday with the prosecutor presenting a videotaped police interview of X describing how the five, who were neighbors of X’s family, entered their house through a broken front door, enter the bedroom where she was home alone, undressed and touched her body.

On the third day, however, she changed her story. 

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Trial begins for 5 accused of indecent acts on child

 

District Court

The trial of four Filipinos and one Bangladeshi accused of indecent acts towards an 11-year old child two years ago in Yuen Long, began today at District Court with a video being played of a police interview of their alleged victim describing how she was undressed and her body touched.

Prosecution introduced X, who is now 13 years old, as the prime witness via video link and then presented the recorded video interview of her describIng the incident in English to a female police investigator.

Judge Clement Lee reminded her to tell the truth and identify herself as X when swearing in, and declared that the court will protect her identity during the two-week trial.

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The five -- Benjur Macaraig, 46; Julie JR Arcega, 32; Gina Villanueva, 51; Jimwoel Macaraig, 53 years old; and MD Moazzim-hossain, 42 -- were arrested after the incident which allegedly happened inside a hut on Kung Om Road in Yuen Long on Jan. 3, 2023.

The five, who were neighbors of the victim's family, are accused of committing “indecent conduct towards a child under the age of 16 years”, which is punishable with imprisonment of up to 10 years under the Crimes Ordinance.

They are also accused of common assault, which is punishable with up to a year in prison under the Offenses Against the Person Ordinance.

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In the video recording, X told the investigator that she was home alone, in her bedroom using her mobile phone, when the five entered the house through the front door, whose lock was broken.

They then proceeded to the bedroom.

“They asked me to undress,” X said. When she hesitated, one of them took off her T-shirt, and the others helped remove the other clothing, including her underwear.

“They touched me everywhere… including my private parts. I was crying… I was pretty scared,” she said. “They looked like they were on drugs…. They were laughing loudly.” She said she was also slapped.

The group left after a few minutes, and she put her clothes back on.

X said she told her parents what happened when they arrived, and the police were called.

The five were on bail ranging from $1,000 o $10,000, but two of them remained in detention for cases unrelated to the trial.

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Govt urged to take caution in charging public hospital patients

The govt plans to charge fees for CT scans and MRIs to cut down on waiting time (File)

Hong Kong’s plan to start charging patients in public hospitals for such services as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has elicited mixed reactions, with some experts saying caution is needed in getting the plan implemented.

Luk Che-hung, a former senior Hospital Authority official said the government should cap the medical expenses of patients so they become “reasonable”.

Luk said some medical services cost a lot, so putting a cap on the charges would ensure a patient is still able to afford the treatments.

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His call came in the wake of Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau’s announcement of a plan to charge certain patients for expensive and highly sought after hospital services such as CT scans and MRIs to prevent abuse.

But Lo said hospitalized patients or those needing emergency care would be exempt.

Luk said he was in favor of revising the fee mechanism as it could help reduce waiting times at public hospitals or force those who can afford it, resort to getting private healthcare.

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However, it could add to the burden on the emergency and triage sections of public hospitals as some patients might try to get the treatments done at A&E to avoid paying.

Meanwhile, a patient’s group representative expressed concern that the co-pay plan could deter some ailing people, especially those from the middle class, to defer or avoid seeking medical help.

Alex Lam, chairman of Hong Kong Patients' Voices told RTHK that patients who are not qualified to receive social welfare assistance because of the means test would hesitate to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for hospital treatments, even if it would mean not getting prompt diagnoses.

“In the end, their condition may get worse,” said Lam.

In announcing the co-pay plan, Lo said the demand for such complicated imaging services such as CT scans and MRIs keeps increasing, resulting in longer waiting time.

“We have to stress that these items are completely free now, as they are fully funded by the government, and that has led to an excessive use of services,” he added.

Lo said the fee adjustment and charges is needed to better allocate resources and ensure prompt treatment for patients who are in serious condition or need urgent care.

 

 

To be able to vote online you need to enrol first

 

Community leaders listen to Vice Consul Jose Angelo Manuel

You may be a registered voter in Hong Kong for overseas voting in the Philippines, but you may not be able to cast your ballot in the country's first election over the internet that starts on April 13, unless you have enrolled in the new voting and counting system.

Vice Consul Jose Angelo Manuel, Chairman of the Consulate’s Resident Election Registration Board (RERB) in Hong Kong, emphasized this Sunday, as he asked community leaders to help spread the word to their members so they can vote any time, anywhere using their gadgets.

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He was speaking at a training session on online voting at the OFW World Center on the 18^th floor of the United Centre Building in Admiralty.

He said registered voters can pre-enroll and take part in test voting using their own computers, tablets or mobile phones through a web page that will be launched on Thursday, March 20, and will remain open until Apr. 12.

The actual enrolment will take place at the start of the month-long election on Apr 13, and continue only until May 7, or five days before the election ends. 

Once enroled, they can proceed to cast their ballots starting at 8am on Apr 13, until the polling ends at 7pm on May 12, again using their own gadgets. 

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Unlike in the past when voters in Hong Kong had to go to the Bayanihan Centre in Kennedy Town to physically cast their ballots, all registered electors this year can vote in the comfort of their homes or elsewhere as long as they have pre-enroled.

Manuel said the Consulate will assist anyone who may have difficulty enroling as a voter, or casting their ballots.

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“Kung hindi alam bumoto, kung walang PC, kung walang phone, o hindi makaintindi ng English, punta lang po kayo sa Konsulado. Kami na ang bahala mag assist,” he said. (If you don't know how, or you don't have a PC or a phone, or you can't understand English, just come to the Consulate. We'll assist you).

Voting centers will be set up at the Consulate for people with these problems, he added.

Hong Kong has 83,330 registered voters, of whom 79,487 or 95 per cent are women, according to the Commission on Elections. 

Internet voting which will be held at most overseas posts for the first time this year, is expected to boost election turnout by making the process easier and more accessible.

Filipina held for alleged theft of jewelry, cash over 4-year period

 

The Filipina is accused of stealing 14 expensive jewelry items (File)

A Filipina domestic helper was returned to jail after appearing at Shatin Magistracy on Mar 13, charged with stealing a number of expensive jewelry and substantive cash from her employer – over a four-year period.

Nishel G. Narag, 43 years old, was told to appear in court again on April 4 for another hearing of the case.

She is accused of stealing 14 different pieces of jewelry plus cash from the flat of her employer Leung Iu Ping at Tower 5 in Festival City, Shatin, between “an indefinite day in 2021 and 28 Jan. 2025.”

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She was arrested after the last alleged theft, and taken to the Shatin police station for questioning on Jan. 30 this year.

It was not clear from the charge sheet why it took long for the alleged thefts to have been uncovered.

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The jewelry items she is alleged to have stolen comprised of 5 gold bracelets, 2 diamond rings, 2 gold necklaces, 1 platinum bracelet, 1 diamond necklace with pendant and 3 gold rings.

She is also accused of stealing 6,500 British pounds and 10,000 Euro, valued at HKD237,242.32 in total.

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Under Sec 9 of the Theft Ordinance, the maximum penalty for the crime of theft is 10 years’ imprisonment.

 

16 people linked to illegal cleaning work arrested

Police hold a press briefing on the arrests

A pre-dawn raid by law enforcers on several residential estates in Tseung Kwan O and Tai Po early today, Sunday, resulted in the arrests of 16 people suspected of engaging or abetting illegal work.

The group, comprising 12 men and four women aged between 27 and 66, were arrested by a team of 80 officers from the police and Immigration Department.

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The raids were conducted at cleaning stations, refuse collection points and staff rest areas in the estates.

Of the 16 arrested, 12 were suspected illegal workers hired by four local foremen to do cleaning work at housing estates and malls for which they were paid between $300 to $500 per day.

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Of the 12 suspected illegal workers, seven hold recognizance papers or documents that allow them to pursue applications for non-refoulement or against being sent back home.

Three of the workers were illegal immigrants, one came in as tourist, while another was a two-way permit holder from China.

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Most of the non-Chinese workers were Vietnamese.

The four other people arrested were local foremen who had recruited the illegal workers through referrals from former recruits.

A number of forged documents were seized during the operation, including identification documents, identity card copies, work uniforms, employment records, and cleaning equipment.

An investigation into the operation is underway, and more arrests may follow as officers contact the companies involved in hiring the illegal workers.

Immigration has again reminded employers to take extra care in verifying the legal employment status of jobseekers.

Illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong, with offenders facing a maximum jail term of between two and three years, and a $50,000 fine.

Those who employ illegal workers are punished more severely, with a maximum jail term of 10 years and fine of up to $500,000.

 

2 Filipinas accused of fraud in booking tennis courts plead guIlty

 

Wong Nai Chung tennis courts (Google Maps photo)

Two of three Filipinas charged with conspiracy to defraud for booking tennis courts on behalf of other people, pleaded guilty at Shatin Courts last Friday (March 15) and were remanded in jail as their sentencing had been put off.

Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong scheduled the sentencing of Helen Habungan, 43 years old, for April 7.

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She admitted conspiring with a certain Joseph Mosqueda in getting permission from the director of Leisure and Culture Services and his officers to use public tennis courts “under circumstances which they would not otherwise have granted.”

Magistrate Cheang did not set a sentencing date for Ammar Mendoza, 65 years old, who admitted conspiring with a certain Graeme Foster by “dishonestly and falsely misrepresenting that you hired the tennis courts…,” according to the complaint filed by the Immigration Department.

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This was because she still had another charge pending, breach of condition of stay, for allegedly doing work other than that of a domestic helper, which Cheang adjourned to April 7.

The third Filipina accused of conspiracy to defraud was Dolly Gay Manaligod, aged 32, who did not make a plea so her case was scheduled to resume on the same date.

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Manaligod is accused of conspiring with a certain Lucas Miguel Caceres, for whom she allegedly booked tennis courts.

She was released on $1,000 bail.

Duterte appears before ICC over ‘tokhang’ killings

Duterte looked frail as he appeared via video link at the ICC hearing (ICC photo) 

 Former Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Friday, Mar. 14, charged with “crimes against humanity of murder” over the killings of “at least” 43 people during his bloody war on drugs over an eight-year period.

Duterte looked frail as he testified through video link from the ICC Detention Centre, becoming the first Asian leader to be charged before the tribunal.

Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc said Duterte had requested for his participation through video link, and the court agreed.

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She then went on to verify Duterte’s identity by asking for his full name and place of birth, then informed him of his rights under the Rome Statute of the ICC.

Among those in court was his lawyer Salvador Medialdea, while his daughter, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, watched from the gallery.

Medialdea told the three ICC judges that the 79-year-old former leader was “abducted” so he could be taken to The Hague, and was too ill to give evidence.

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Duterte was flown to the Netherlands a few hours after being arrested by Philippine police at the Manila airport on his arrival from Hong Kong early on Wednesday.

Medialdea claimed Duterte’s arrest and appearance at the ICC was “pure and simple kidnapping” and that his client was suffering from “debilitating” medical issues.

Judge Motoc replied that the court doctor who examined Duterte prior to the hearing had found him “fully mentally aware and fit.”

The all-women judges of ICC's pre-trial chamber presided over the hearing

She added that Duterte and his lawyers can raise questions about his transfer to the court and his health at subsequent hearings.

The judge set down Duterte’s next court appearance on Sept. 23, during which the court will determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. She said this should give both sides enough time to prepare their arguments.

Until then, Duterte will have to remain in custody.

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The warrant against Duterte which was made public on Mar. 11, alleges that he was an indirect co-perpetrator of the crimes against humanity of murder, torture and rape committed in the Philippines between Nov 1, 2011 and Mar 16, 2019.

According to the court, the charges were based on a “non-exhaustive list of incidents” submitted by the prosecution, which identified a total of at least 43 people being killed during Duterte’s “Oplan Tokhang” crackdown on drugs, while serving as mayor of Davao City and later, as president of the Philippines.

At least 19 persons alleged drug pushers or thieves were said to have been killed in or around Davao City by a group of vigilantes called the DDS or Davao Death Squad; and at least 24 other supposed criminals while Duterte was serving as Philippine president between 2016 and 2022.

Nine persons arrested in anti-illegal work operations

 

Immigration officers lead some of the suspects away

Four consecutive days of raids on various premises have resulted in the arrest of nine people for suspected illegal work.

A statement issued by the Immigration Department on Friday said the operation was carried out from Mar 10 to 13, and targeted 28 target locations, including massage parlors, premises under repair, and restaurants.

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Arrested during the raids were eight suspected illegal workers and one employer.

Six men and two women, aged 21 4o 43, were found to have worked without a valid visa while a man aged 48 was suspected of employing them.

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Immigration reiterated a warning that illegal work is a serious crime, for which the maximum fine is $50,000 and imprisonment for up three years.

In addition, under section 20 (1) (a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant and thereafter, prohibit such immigrant from entering or being in Hong Kong at any time after, if he/she has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years.

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Employers could get jailed for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of $50,000.

'25 HK Flower Show opens

 

Seniors get to enter the Flower Show for free

Filipinos n HongKong wull have a new place to spend thei idle time this week: the Hong Kong Flower Show 2025 opened yesterday at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, featuring cosmos as the theme flower and "Ablaze with Glory" as the main theme.

The Flower Show will be open from 9am to 9pm daily until until March 23.

A total of 238 organizations, including 81 exhibitors from 11 countries, namely the Philippines, China, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, Singapore, Vietnam, Poland, Malaysia and the United States, will be taking part in the show.

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Among its key features are landscaped displays with a world tour theme.

The Grand Journey across Europe landscape features an English garden, a Dutch windmill, a Greek-style hut, and a French lavender field, while the Wonders of Africa, a parterre of the Jockey Club Mosaiculture Display by Students, features installations made of cut flowers showcasing animals such as a gorilla, a hippopotamus, a camel, and a giraffe.

The beauty of the Himalayas, Mount Kinabalu of Malaysia, Mount Fuji of Japan, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and the Supertree Grove in Singapore is highlighted in the "Travelling around Asia" landscape.

A vinta and a junk boat sail form the centerpiece of the Philippine Consulate's booth

"An Adventure to the Americas" showcases culture and heritage through installations such as a Maya pyramid, Easter Island statues, and Western cowboys.

The show also hghlights the upcoming 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities, and the 9th National Special Olympic Games with a garden plot entitled "Joyful Vibrancy Around Town", featuing five crescent-shaped art installations inspired by sports, adorned with cosmos of different species and colors. Members of the public can also take photos with the event mascots "Xi Yang Yang" and "Le Rong Rong" in front of a wall banner for the National Games.

Another floral display, "A Gifts of Nature", resembles a giant gift box filled with mesmerizing flowers and illuminated with soft lights.

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Special plant exhibits display rare flowering plants such as purple bells, gold finger plant, blue potato vine, and sandpaper vine (white flower), in addition to a selection of foliage plants from the Marantaceae family.

Flowers of every kind, shape and color can be seen at the Flower Show 2025

An exhibition booth displaying artworks by the nonagenarian local artist Fapopo (Flower Granny) is set up in the showground. Fapopo uses everyday household items such as Chinese woks, folding chairs, and plastic basins as her canvas, and her creations are vibrant and colorful, with childlike energy.

Other attractions include "The Giant Teapot in Miniature World" display inside the floral marquee, panda-themed photo-taking spots, and a giant bouncy slide (opening hours: 10am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays) at the Central Lawn.

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The show also showcases a rich profusion of potted plants, floral arrangements, and landscape displays by local, Mainland China, and overseas organizations.

Commercial stalls sell snacks, beverages, flowers, and horticultural products.

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A vast range of educational and recreational fringe activities, such as floral arrangement demonstrations, gardening lectures, music, and cultural performances, will be offered for visitors of all ages. This year, busking street performances and floral art demonstrations for home are added to the activities lineup.

The HKFS is organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has supported the Flower Show since 2013 and has been its major sponsor since 2014.

Filipina to be tried on 12 charges of stealing jewelry from employer

The jewelry thefts were allegedly committed in this estate

A Filipina domestic helper who denied stealing 28 pieces of gold and diamond jewelry from her former employer is set to stand trial at Eastern Court on Apr 2-3.

Maribel P. Bringas, 42 years old, pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of theft when she appeared before Magistrate Kestrel Lam on Mar. 11. She was returned to jail pending her trial.

She is accused of stealing various pieces of jewelry from her employer Wu Pui Yan in her flat at East Garden, Tung Shan Terrace in Happy Valley, between May 9 and July 12 last year, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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She was initially charged with stealing one gold pendant, one gold bracelet and one gold necklace estimated to be worth round $200,000 on May 14, when she first appeared in court.

However, 11 more charges of theft have since been laid against her.

In the second charge, she is accused of stealing one jade pendant from Wu on May 9, 2024.

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On May 20 of the same year, she again allegedly stole a diamond bracelet, and three days later, again took two gold pendants and two gold bracelets.

On May 31, she is accused of stealing one diamond ring and one gold ring. A sixth charge accused her of taking four pieces of jewelry on May 18: two gold pendants, one gold bracelet and one gold ring.

For the seventh charge, she is accused of stealing one gold bracelet and one pendant on Jun 27, 2024.

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The eighth charge is over a gold ring and a gold bracelet that she allegedly took on May 20; while the ninth charge alleges she stole another gold pendant on Jun 3.

The 10^th charge is over two gold bracelets and one gold pendant she allegedly stole on Jun 24; the 11^th s over two gold bracelets and one gold necklace she took on July 12, and the last is over two gold rings she is alleged to have stolen on Jun 7.

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Bringas who has been in jail since her arrest on Jan 17 this year, denied all the charges.

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