Reading of charge against Filipino linked to $490m cocaine haul put off

Customs displays the liquid cocaine it had seized

A Filipino who has been in jail since he was arrested last Jan. 13 on a charge of attempting to traffic in drugs, will have to wait until April 9 for the case to be read to him at the West Kowloon court in Cheung Sha Wan.

Magistrate Pang Leung-ting granted the prosecutor’s request for an adjournment on Monday to wait for the Government Laboratory to finish the analysis of what was described as dangerous drugs seized from Aster Leo Balucanag, 38 years old, and a local resident.

He was accused of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug, in violation of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the Crime Ordinance; the other man was charged separately.

The original charge sheet filed last Jan. 16, identified the dangerous drug as 444 kilos of cocaine, but this was crossed out pending confirmation by government chemists.

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​A press release by Hong Kong Customs, however, described the drug as suspected liquid cocaine with an estimated market value of about $490 million -- a record seizure of liquid cocaine by Customs.

“Acting on intelligence analysis, Customs officers selected a 20-foot seaborne container, declared as carrying wine and grape juice, and arriving in Hong Kong from Brazil, for inspection. Upon examination, 148 packages of suspected liquid cocaine packed in transparent plastic bags were found inside 37 out of 706 carton boxes of wine. The total weight was about 444kg,” the Customs press statement said.

Upon a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted controlled delivery operations, and arrested Balucanag who claimed to be unemployed and a 50-year-old man who claimed to be a transportation company owner, on Jan. 13 and 14, respectively.

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An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out, Customs said.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

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Filipina avoids criminal record in theft case

 

Fresh store in The Lohas.

A Filipina accused of shoplifting $125.7 worth of groceries, breathed a sigh of relief today after the prosecutor withdrew the charge at Kwun Tong Law Courts today, in return for her being bound over for 18 months.

I. Orpilla, 32 years old, agreed to the bind-over which would leave no criminal record on her stay in Hong Kong if she does not reoffend for 18 months, and paid the court’s costs of $300  ordered by Acting Principal Magistrate Winnie Lau.

Only if she reoffends will a fine of $1,200 be slapped on her, along with the penalty for the new offense, Magistrate Lau explained to her.

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Orpilla was charged with stealing one bottle of mayonnaise, one pack of potato chips, one pack of tortilla chips and one bottle of floor cleaner on Nov. 12, 2023 at the Fresh grocery store in The Lohas, Lohas Park, Tseung Kwan O.

She said after leaving the court that she had forgotten to pay for the items because she was too preoccupied with personal problems.

She also thanked her employer for supporting her.

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In West Kowloon court, Francess Faith Lacaba, 35, was set free with no bail after the hearing of her alleged theft of an Octopus card containing $70 in value, was adjourned for verdict on Feb. 21.

She had been held in jail since her arrest on the early morning of Nov. 23, 2023, when police officers found in her possession a personalized Octopus card in someone else’s name.

Lacaba had earlier pleaded guilty to overstaying, after her employer terminated her domestic worker contract on Sept. 24, 2023, five months after her arrival. She had been sleeping in parks around Sham Shui Po.

But she pleaded not guilty to theft, maintaining that she had just found the card on the sidewalk and was waiting for the MTR station to open so she could return it. The card was never used, its owner later confirmed.

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Filipina jailed 8 months despite denying she stole from 2 employers

 

The first 2 thefts happened in this Happy Valley estate 7 & 10 years ago

A 58-year-old Filipina who had denied stealing from her two employers, saying the items she took were either gifts or given to her for disposal, was today ordered jailed for eight months.

Merlita Batobato was found guilty after trial of three counts of theft by Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui at Eastern Court.

Magistrate Chui said she did not believe Batobato’s testimony and found that her two employers, one of whom she served for 25 years, were more reliable witnesses.

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She mentioned in particular the second charge, which alleged that Batobato had stolen five bags, one mobile phone, two watches, three necklaces, one wallet, one tablet and three cameras from the house of her latest employer, Betty So Wa-man in Homantin Hill Road, Kowloon, on Sept. 11 last year.

The defendant claimed the items were given to her by So for disposal but she decided to keep them without first checking inside the bag that held them.

Chui said she found this claim unreasonable. She also pointed out that the items found in the defendant's possession were “not disposable items”, leading to the conclusion that the defendant had stolen them. 

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The magistrate also found Batobato to have lied about the three other items found in her possession, all belonging to her first employer, Nancy Ku, and were used as bases for charging her with two separate theft charges.

In the first charge, Batobato was accused of stealing a Cartier watch from Ku in 2017 from her house on Village Road in Happy Valley. The third charge was for two branded wallets which Ku claimed was stolen from her in 2014.

All three items were found when So had the helper’s things searched, leading to her arrest.   

In her defense, Batobato said both items were given to her by Ku for her decades of service, and were rewards for her agreeing not to be paid when the employer encountered financial difficulty during the pandemic.

Batobato also claimed that to help her earn a salary during that time, Ku referred her to a “popo,” a friend and sibling of So, the second employer. Shortly afterwards, So signed her up as a domestic helper, on Ku’s recommendation.

Referring to charges one and three, Magistrate Chui said, “I reject (her claim) that those items were given and not stolen.”

In mitigation, Batobato’s counsel, Eric Curlewis, said Batobato had a clear record during her long years of working in Hong Kong as a domestic helper.

“It’s a shame that she has been found guilty of these offences so late in her career,” said Curlewis, who then tried to ask for a lenient sentence, and if possible, a non-custodial one.

But Chui immediately reminded him that a breach of trust was involved, and that a prison term was inevitable.

She set down a prison term of six months for the first charge, four months for the second charge, and one month for the third charge. Applying the totality principle, she ordered that only the two months for the second charge be served consecutive to the 6 months in the first charge.

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Temperatures forecast to dip to 5 degrees tomorrow

 

High visibility over HK island remains despite the cold weather (HK Observatory)

The government has issued a reminder for everyone, especially the elderly and other people with mobility problems, to take note of the very cold weather in Hong Kong at the moment.

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the temperatures over many places in the city were about six degrees lower than those of yesterday.

Tomorrow will be even colder, with temperatures ranging between 7 and 10 degrees in the urban areas, far lower in the New Territories. The Observatory warned it will feel even colder due to wind chills.

Ta Kwu Ling will be coldest, with the temperature dipping to just 2 degrees, while Tai Po, Lau Fau Shan, Sha Tin, Tseung Kwan O and Cheung Chau will have a 5-degree weather.

It will remain cold throughout the day on Wednesday, with temperatures in the range of 8 and 12 degrees in the urban areas.

The weather will gradually become milder starting on Thursday, when the temperature will rise by about three degrees.

The Centre for Health Protection advised the public, particularly the elderly and those with chronic diseases, to layer on to protect their health, saying the cold weather can easily trigger or exacerbate diseases such as heart ailments or respiratory illnesses.

"Elderly people have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanism may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to the cold weather," the spokesman said.

In addition, the impaired mobility among some seniors can impair their ability to generate and conserve body heat. They should thus adopt the following preventive measures:

*Take note of the weather forecast and wear warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks accordingly;

* Eat enough to ensure adequate calorie intake;

* Exercise regularly to increase blood circulation and heat production;

* Use heaters as needed, but with care, and maintain adequate ventilation;

* Seek medical attention if unwell.

Parents are also advised to ensure their babies are sufficiently warm, and are placed in well-ventilated rooms at a comfortable temperature.

 

For the general public, the CHP is advising the wearing of surgical masks in public, saying it can prevent the transmission of respiratory viruses from ill people.

Those who are respiratory symptoms must wear masks and refrain from going to crowded places or to work, or attending classes at school. They should also seek medical advice immediately.

For more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit the CHP's website and Facebook Fanpage.

The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit the website of the Hong Kong Observatory for the latest weather information and forecast, or its page on Weather Information for Senior Citizens.

 

 

 

13 arrested in raids against illegal workers

 

One of those arrested is escorted by Immigration officers.

Thirteen persons, all suspected to be working illegally in Hong Kong,  were arrested in the latest raids conducted by Immigration and police officers on 107 target locations in various parts of Hong Kong last Jan 15-18,

During the anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Twilight" on 24 target locations including premises under renovation, restaurants and retail shops, Immigration Department (ImmD) Task Force officers arrested seven suspected illegal workers, comprising five men and two women, aged 22 to 57.

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Among them, one woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card.

The joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force, codenamed "Champion",  involved raids on 83 target locations in Central and Western districts and netted six more suspected illegal workers.

One man and five women, aged 30 to 50, were arrested. Among them, one man was a holder of recognizance form, which prohibits him from taking any employment.

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"Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence,” ImmD said

It specified visitors as prohibited from taking employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration.

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“Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties," it said.

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Diwa’t Kabayan Benlife celebrates 23rd year with banquet

DKB's officers and graduates with some of their guests

One of the migrant community organizations dedicated to helping Filipino domestic workers acquire new skills in Hong Kong that could help them build better lives when they return home just celebrated its 23^rd founding anniversary with pre-pandemic pomp.

The celebration was held on Jan. 7 at Fortune Harbour Restaurant in Quarry Bay, with guests led by Vice Consul Jose Angelo Manuel and Metrobank Remittance General Manager Mark Dexter Yabut. 

Diwa’t Kabayan Benlife Society, which is headed by Naty Manalo, also used the occasion to stage its 10^th graduation ceremony for FDWs who successfully completed their various livelihood training courses.

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Manalo said she was happy that her group could again hold a fitting tribute to its trainors and trainees who worked for months to ensure that the courses could be completed as scheduled, and together come up with products that they could be proud of.

She also advised the trainees to think twice about investing all their savings in businesses, saying not a few workers have returned to Hong Kong because they had run out of funds. 

"Mahirap ang buhay ngayon sa Pilipinas," she said. (Life is hard in the Philippines nowadays).

Like most migrant organizations that cannot afford to hire a covered venue for their activities, Diwa’t Kabayan has been conducting its training sessions outdoors, whatever the weather.

Often, for activities like macramé bag making, beadscraft and wire-twisting sculpture, the venue is a footbridge near Admiralty Centre. For food processing, baking and cake decoration the group would relocate to a flat in the New Territories so they could have easy access to fresh ingredients they need for their training.

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The only respite they got from working mostly on the floor was their end-of-year grand anniversary celebration and graduation when they could dress up to the nines and dine in a nice restaurant, but the pandemic put a halt to this for the past four years.

VC Manuel receives plaque of appreciation from Diwa't Kabayan founder Manuel (back to camera)

Given special recognition during the event were the graduates who completed their respective courses with flying colors.

For the plastic-canvas bag making, Myra S. Doguiles was named Outstanding and Most Creative graduate, while Ma. Richelda T. Buno, Lilebeth P. Poral and Alfreda A. Cosicol were all first honors. Eighteen graduates were given various citations for their performances.

In the macramé bag making class, Analyn Mara Loyoda won as Outstanding and Most Creative graduate.

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In beadscraft, named Outstanding graduate was Alicia P. Monchalog. Thirteen other students were also given recognition for finishing the course.

For the bonsai beads and twisted wire sculpture course, Mamerta M. Belmonte was cited as Most Outstanding and Most Creative graduate, while Lirio L. Miano copped the First Honor  and Most Artistic award.

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Filipina jailed 10 months for stealing employer’s jewelry

 

A Filipina was sentenced today to 10 months’ imprisonment after she admitted stealing $163,000 worth of jewelry from her employer’s house  in Sai Kung during the last three months of 2023.

Sharon Tabareng, 39 years old, pleaded guilty to each of the three counts of theft as they were read to her at the Kwun Tong Court.

The main evidence presented against her were pawnshop receipts for the stolen items, and the statement from staff of a pawnshop in Sai Kung who identified Tabareng as the one who brought the jewelry to them.

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According to facts to which she agreed, her employer Yip Yuong-ming retrieved the first batch of jewelry she pawned for $40.000, consisting of 29 golden ornaments worth $100,000 she was said to have stolen from Oct. 9 to Nov. 9, 2023.

The second charge was for one diamond ring worth $30,000 which she stole on Dec. 20.

The third charge, formally added during the hearing today, was for a pair of earrings and a gold ornament valued at $33,000, stolen on Nov. 22.

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Acting Principal Magistrate Winnie Lau credited Tabareng for her guilty plea by reducing her sentences by a third, resulting in seven months’s jail for the first charge, and four months each for the second and third charges.

Since only 1.5 months of the second and third sentences were to run after the seven-month sentence for the first charge, the final sentence added up to 10 months.

In mitigation, Tabareng’s lawyer said she had been working as a domestic helper in Hong Kong since 2016, and this was the only time her clear record was broken.

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He added that her relatives banded together and contributed a total of $11,000 to give back to her employer as compensation for the theft, although it fell far short of the employer’s actual losses. 

Aside from the $40,000 she paid to the pawnshop to recover the first batch of her jewelry, she has yet to recover  the three other stolen items, which Tabareng had pawned for just $300 and $800, respectively  

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PCG to hold talk on child support

 

Poster for tomorrow's talk

Tomorrow, Jan. 21, the Philippine Consulate will hold a talk on child support, a topic that many overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong, more than 98 percent of whom are women, are often concerned about.

The discussion will focus on the right of a custodial parent to get support for her/his child or children, in accordance with the law in the Philippines and in Hong Kong. But child support can also be paid by both parents if their child is in the custody of another person, such as a relative.

The “Usapang Sustento” talk will feature a family law expert in the Philippines, Soledad Deriquito-Mawis, who is also the dean of the Lyceum of the Philippines College of Law, along with fellow lawyer Andrea Yasay.

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Sharing her insights on the topic is Hong Kong-based solicitor Jaerey Velasco from the Payne, Clermont Velasco law office.

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The talk which will be held at the Consulate’s conference room is open to the public, but pre-registration is needed as slots are limited. Those interested can do this through this link: bit.ly/PCGTalks or by scanning the QR code in the attached poster.

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For inquiries, call 2823 8523 / 8524

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Woman given probation for making false report

 

Reports submitted to court showed probation was the best punishment for the defendant

A 54-year-old Filipina resident got off lightly for reporting a crime to the police that never happened.

After a stern warning from the magistrate that the penalty prescribed for the offence she committed was too light, Soledad Solomon was sentenced to a probation order on Thursday, Jan. 18.

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Solomon, a saleslady, pleaded guilty at Eastern Court earlier to making a false report of  a commission of an offence on Dec. 13, 2022.

She went to the Wanchai Police Station on Arsenal Street to report to Detective Police Constable Tony Chan that someone had entered their house in Moreton Terrace, Causeway Bay, and stole her bag containing $35,000 worth of foreign currency and $2,000 in Hong Kong bills.

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She also told the police investigator that her son recovered the bag later from a garbage bin, but without the contents.

But when investigators checked the CCTV on the lobby of a building in Happy Valley where their flat was located, the video footage showed only her and her son leaving and entering the flat the whole night.

After Solomon admitted the offence, Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui said the false report caused the police to waste so much time and resources that would have been spent more productively in fighting crime.

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The magistrate said the offence was so serious that the penalty prescribed by the law was “not strong enough” to prevent similar offences being committed in future.

So instead of imposing a fine as suggested by the defense lawyer, Magistrate Chui ordered reports done on Solomon by a probationary officer and a community service officer to determine the more appropriate punishment for her.

Solomon’s lawyer said she had a clear record, was remorseful and was supported by her husband who even wrote a letter addressed to the court seeking a lenient sentence.

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