Macau-based DH arrested in HK over alleged loan fraud

By Vir B. Lumicao

The Filipina was arrested at the HK-Macau ferry terminal in Sheung Wan three years after jumping bail

A Filipina domestic worker in Macau who came to Hong Kong for a visit has been arrested and charged in Eastern Court for allegedly taking a $20,000 loan from a lending company in 2016 using a terminated work contract.

Melessa Francisco, 27, was refused bail by Magistrate Peter Law when she appeared in court on Feb 8, a day after she was held at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan while trying to re-enter the SAR.

No plea was taken from the defendant as police continued their investigation, according to the prosecution, which opposed the woman’s bail application for absconding in 2017 while on police bail.

The prosecution said that Francisco, a helper earning the equivalent of $3,700 in Macau, was charged with “obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception”.

The case stemmed from her alleged dishonesty when she borrowed money from Prime Credit on Jul 16, 2016 using her contract that had already been terminated.

Francisco found a new employer later, but did not repay the loan. By then, the lending company had discovered the deception and reported it to the police.

Officers were able to locate the defendant and arrested her in December 2017, but she reportedly jumped police bail. Francisco eventually got a job also as a helper in Macau.

The defendant applied for bail of $500, but Magistrate Law rejected the application saying she was likely to abscond again as in 2017. Law also cited as reason the seriousness of the offense, and the defendant’s lack of local ties.

But the magistrate told Francisco she could try applying for bail in the High Court and adjourned the case to Mar 8.

Kickboxer in Central fight gets suspended jail term for resisting arrest

By Vir B. Lumicao

Wong is shown all bloodied after the Jun 17 brawl

A Filipino-Chinese kickboxing instructor involved in a bloody brawl in Central last year has avoided imprisonment after pleading guilty in Eastern Court on Feb. 8 to resisting a police officer.

Chancell Wong, 44, had his two-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months by Magistrate Peter Law.

“Thank you, your honor,” Wong, 44, told the magistrate after the sentencing, then bowed his head and left the courtroom trailing his British employers, who showed up to support him, and submitted a letter attesting to his good character.

Wong, a Hong Kong permanent resident, pleaded guilty to the charge on Feb. 8. A duty lawyer who represented him in court said Wong is a driver who teaches kickboxing part-time and earns $20,000 a month, 

In mitigation, the lawyer said Wong did not start the fight on D’Aguilar St in Central on Jun 17 last year, and that he himself suffered injuries in the fight with a “foreign male”.

The lawyer also said the charge against Wong was just a “pushing and pulling, not a remand case, but a case against a foreign male.”

But the magistrate rebuked the lawyer, saying, “The other male, foreigner or local, has nothing to do with this case.” He also said resisting an officer who was executing his duty to enforce the law and prevent crime was a serious offense.

He said the sentence for such an offense was three months in jail but was reducing it by a third because of Wong’s clear record and guilty plea.

Law warned Wong not to commit any offense during the next 12 months or the sentence would be imposed, on top of any penalty for the new offense.

The brawl involving Wong and Filipino drivers Ricky Lizo and his younger brother Denise broke out just after 11:00pm on Jun 17 last year on D’Aguilar Street

The prosecution said a police officer patrolling the Lan Kwai Fong area saw the defendant chase and attack an unidentified foreign man on the street.

The officer reportedly blocked Wong and ordered him to stop, but the latter pushed him and pulled his arm. As a result, the officer suffered an arm injury and was taken to the hospital where an attending doctor told him to take a three-day medical leave. 

Wong himself was injured in the fracas and was hospitalized with a wound on his head and a split lower lip.

Earlier reports said the fight started when Wong was attacked by the brothers Lizo for allegedly slapping a Filipina. At the time, the Lizos had been drinking in a Filipino pub where Wong was also having a drink.

   

A Filipino boxer friend, Jay Primo Solmiano, said he tried to break up the fight when he saw Wong being beaten up by the Lizos, but was himself attacked by the brothers.

All four sustained injuries and Wong and the Lizos were arrested by the police, but were later released on police bail.  Solmiano voluntarily reported to Central police station where he was also deemed arrested and told to post bail.

A few months back, Solmiano and the Lizos got back their police bail, and were reportedly told they no longer had to worry about being charged in court. However the Police Public Relations Bureau told The SUN the case was still under investigation.

 

2 Pinays die after collapsing in employers’ homes

By The SUN

Two Filipina domestic workers have reportedly died after collapsing in their employers’ houses over the weekend.

Donna M. Avanceña, who would have turned 56 on Feb 25, collapsed early on Feb 2 in her employer’s flat at 32 Kennedy Road in Mid-Levels and was rushed to nearby Ruttonjee Hospital on an ambulance. She expired shortly later.

Avancena died in Ruttonjee Hospital in Wanchai

From Ruttonjee, the remains of Avancena were taken to the Victoria Public Mortuary in Kennedy Town. Public viewing of her remains has not been arranged.

On the same day, Eva A. Pascua, 46, a native of San Agustin, Isabela, was reportedly found unconscious in her employer’s home by her wards and was rushed to Caritas Hospital in Cheung Sha Wan. She passed on the next day.

Pascua’s friend, Marites Palma, said she had already reported the death to the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section and to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.

Palma also said Pascua’s child arrived in Hong Kong from Manila today, Feb. 4, and was working with an aunt on repatriating the remains of her mother.

The causes of Avanceña and Pascua’s deaths were not immediately known.

Avanceña’s niece, Aida Ajihil, said she was told to return to the Victoria Public Mortuary for the report on Friday, Feb 8.

Avanceña, a breast cancer survivor for 15 years, fell ill Friday evening after taking her day off, her friend Ann Apita, who also works in Mid-Levels, said.

“Basta after mag-holiday kahapon, umuwi siyang ginaw na ginaw daw. Uminom siya ng hot lemon at nagsuka, tapos hinimatay,” Apita said.

Avancena, who had worked for her 99-year-old employer for 24 years, regained consciousness, and Ajihil who worked in the same household, dialed 999 for assistance.

Avancena was rushed to hospital but did not survive. She left behind a husband and a 13-year-old daughter.

On Sunday, Feb 3, Ajihil and Apita reported Avanceña’s death to the Consulate and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office. The ATN is helping arrange the repatriation of her remains.

Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has calculated that a long service pay of about $70,000 is due to Avanceña’s heirs from her employer. They will also get a death and burial benefit of Php120,000 from OWWA, and her daughter will get a monthly high school stipend and college scholarship.

Danny Baldon, officer of the PCG’s assistance to nationals section, said a funeral home had already been contacted to ship Avanceña’s remains to her hometown.

But the date of repatriation could not yet be set due to the Lunar New Year holiday this week.

                                                                               

Where to go to watch Chinese New Year Fireworks display

The 2019 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display is scheduled to be held at 8pm on the second day of the Lunar New Year (February 6) over Victoria Harbor. Picture shows the first scene, featuring the display of the number "8" and golden ingots to symbolise a prosperous year to come.

This year’s Lunar New Year Fireworks Display will be held at 8pm tomorrow (February 6) on the second day of the Lunar New Year over Victoria Harbor.

The best places to watch the display include the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Salisbury Garden, the Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Urban Council Centenary Garden, Middle Road Children's Playground, Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden, Hung Hom Promenade and Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park along the Kowloon waterfront, as well as Tamar Park and Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section) on the waterfront of Hong Kong Island.

A total of 23 888 firing shells will be discharged in the display from three barges in a 23-minute extravaganza consisting of eight scenes.

 

The event is co-ordinated by the Home Affairs Bureau and sponsored by Shimao Group and supported by the Friends of Hong Kong Association.

Highlights of the fireworks display will include the display of the number "8" and golden ingots in the first scene to symbolize a prosperous year to come, as well as the display of pig noses and Saturn rings alongside the theme song of local comics character McDull in the second scene, wishing people all the best in the Year of the Pig.

 

Strobes and waterfall-like effects in the fourth scene, "When I fall in love", will create a romantic ambience, intended for all lovers for the Valentine's Day that follows the Lunar New Year.

The fireworks display will reach its climax in the last scene with the firing of 10 seven-inch shells featuring brocade crowns and purple pistils simultaneously, in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

 

To maximize enjoyment of the display, can tune in to Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 4 (FM 97.6 to 98.9) for synchronized music.

People are also urged to help keep public areas clean and to show respect for public property. They are also urged to show consideration in order to make the event a safe one.

 

The LCSD, together with the law enforcement teams of other relevant departments, will strengthen patrols at LCSD venues where large crowds are expected. Measures will be stepped up to tackle littering, illegal hawking and vandalism.

A spokesman for the LCSD urged members of the public to take their belongings with them when leaving the venues and not to leave trash behind.

 

He said that littering offenders will be subject to a fixed penalty of $1,500. Publicity materials reminding members of the public to keep places clean will be displayed at the venues while additional cleaning staff and security guards will also be deployed.

The spokesman also reminded people that the above-mentioned venues will be very crowded during the fireworks display. Visitors are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take special care of their safety.

They should pay attention to crowd management measures and take heed of police instructions, he added. 

For her part, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, issued her lunar new year message: "This year is the Year of the Pig. I wish you all a healthy and prosperous year ahead."