Two Filipino domestic workers who overstayed their Hong Kong
visas had a mixed fortune when they pleaded guilty to violating immigration
laws at Shatin court on Nov. 23.
The first, Riselle Doble, was sent to jail for 10 weeks, as
she had overstayed for three years and eight months.
The other, Julieta Javillonar, got a two-week prison term
suspended for three years, as she stayed illegally in the territory for just
two months.
Doble came to Hong Kong to work as a domestic helper on Feb.
13, 2013, but was terminated after only a month. She decided to stay despite
failing to get a new employer.
She surrendered to Immigration on Nov 7 this year.
“The case involves
overstaying for more than 40 months. It’s a serious offense that calls for
immediate custodial sentence,” Magistrate Andrew Ma said.
Doble was given a discount on her sentence for surrendering
and for being a first-time offender.
Javillonar, on the other hand, came to Hong Kong to work as a domestic helper on Sept 14 last year but was also dismissed after a month. She likewise did not leave after failing to find a new employer within the two-week period she was allowed.
Javillonar surrendered to Immigration on Nov 11, 2015, two
months after she should have returned home. She applied for a torture claim,
but her application was rejected last month by the Torture Claims Board. – Vir B. Lumicao
