Labour Secretary Stephen Sui: Was Caught by HK Authorities with Over Two Kilos of Cocaine, Vice Consul Alex ‘Bill Vs Eas to Vallespin Says
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HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK Page 2 The No.1 Foreign Newspaper Vol.XVII No.373 June 15, 2017 A Pinoy seafarer Labour Secretary Stephen Sui: was caught by HK authorities with over two kilos of cocaine, Vice Consul Alex ‘Bill vs EAs to Vallespin says. be filed soon’ Page 9 A Filipino call center agent was sentenced to nearly two decades in jail after pleading guilty to drug trafficking. Page 20 CONSUL-General Bernardita Catalla is joined by Labour and Welfare Secretary Stephen Sui (left) and Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Bamboo’s electrifying Cheung (right) during the diplomatic reception for the 119th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence. performance once By Cheryl M. Arcibal bill that will provide a basis for stiff fines ception for the celebration of the 119th Hong Kong News the bill will be sent to and jail terms against erring employment Philippine Independence Day held on the LegCo by the end of the week. more entertains HONG KONG’s Labour Department is agencies. June 8 at the Conrad Hong Kong, Labour Filipinos here in HK. set to send to the Legislative Council a On the sidelines of the diplomatic re- and Welfare Secretary Stephen Sui told Turn to page 10 PUBLISHED BY HK PUBLICATIONS LTD. TEL: 2851 1766 2 NEWS June 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK Seafarer caught with stash of cocaine By Cheryl M. Arcibal The Filipino and two Colombian nation- als were then arrested. A Filipino seafarer was caught with Vallespin said Hong Kong authorities smuggling 2.7 kilos of cocaine into Hong then called him to talk to the seafarer. Kong on June 1. Vallespin said the Filipino was supposed Vice Consul Alex Vallespin told Hong to fly to Manila on the evening of June 2, Kong News the Hong Kong Customs and but he was arrested by Hong Kong author- Excise Department apprehended the Fili- ities. pino, who was described to be in his late The PCG official said the Filipino told 40s, after the Filipino delivered the drugs him he met two persons in Colombia, and to two Colombian nationals. while they were out drinking, he was of- “The seafarer’s vessel docked in Hong fered to take the drugs to the Philippines Kong and Customs authorities tailed him in exchange for money. until he delivered the drugs to the recipi- Hong Kong authorities found $100,000 ents,” Vallespin said. from the Filipino’s bag. Vallespin “He initially said he was surprised to see Prosecutors alleged the Filipino woman, Upon checking, the substance was $10,000 from his bag. I told him to tell the A.R.S. Cruz, came to Hong Kong on July found to be 610 grams of solid substance, truth,” Vallespin said. 30,2016, and was intercepted by Customs containing 508 grams of cocaine, with an On June 6, a Filipino call center agent agents at the Chek Lap Kok Airport. When estimated street value of $694, 549. was sentenced by a High Court judge to 18 her handbag was searched, the agents When asked by investigators, Cruz said 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to found hidden pockets containing three she did not know about the handbag’s hid- a charge of drug trafficking. packets of suspicious substance. den pockets. ‘5 dengue patients from PH’ By Ally Constantino so far in 2017 were mainly imported from compound at least once a week to re- Thailand (11), Indonesia, the Philippines move any deposited mosquito eggs; THE Philippines is one of the countries and Sri Lanka (five each). No local cases • Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft visited by patients in Hong Kong that con- have been recorded so far this year. drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in tracted dengue fever. Dengue remains endemic in some covered litter containers; The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) neighbouring and overseas areas. In Asia, • Completely change water of flowers of the Department of Health on June 9 the latest figures of 2017 revealed that 12 and plants at least once a week. The use reported the latest number of cases of den- 670 cases have been recorded in Thailand, of saucers should be avoided if possi- gue fever (DF), and again urged the public 1 192 in Singapore and 73 in Japan since ble; to maintain strict environmental hygiene, January 2. • Level irregular ground surfaces before mosquito control and personal protective In the rainy season, the public should the rainy season; measures both locally and during travel. take heed of the following advice on mos- • Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and From June 2 to 8, the CHP recorded four quito control: • Take personal protective measures confirmed cases. The patients had been to • Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof such as wearing light-coloured long- Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cambodia and Ma- gutters, surface channels and drains to sleeved clothes and long trousers laysia respectively during the incubation prevent blockage; and apply insect repellent containing period. • Scrub and clean drains and surface DEET to clothing or uncovered areas As of June 8, the 36 imported DF cases channels with an alkaline detergent of the body when doing outdoor activi- ties. To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general meas- ures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika Virus Infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below: • Read carefully the label instructions first; • Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites; • Apply on exposed skin and clothing; • Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children; • Apply sunscreen first, then insect re- pellent; and • Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions. The public may refer to the CHP’s tips for using insect repellents for details. HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK June 15, 2017 3 4 NEWS June 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK Immigration to probe cases of Warrant Filipino helpers taken to China vs Pinay By Cheryl M. Arcibal “HKID committed to conduct an inves- “The HKID...encouraged FDHs to make Hong Kong officials said. revoked tigation to verify if ‘False Representation’ a report for proper investigation. HKID Philippine officials suggested the ki- By Ally Constantino THE Hong Kong Immigration Depart- is committed at the time of application for added that the FDHs can refuse their em- osk be put up during Filipino community ment has committed to investigate com- the FDHs’ visa,” a consulate report sub- ployer citing prohibitions under Hong events to reach a wider audience. A Shatin Court judge ordered the plaints against employers who bring their mitted to the Philippine Foreign Secretary Kong law,” the report said. Other publicity efforts of the LD include cancellation of a warrant of arrest Filipino helpers out of Hong Kong and said. The Labour Department, meanwhile, the creation of publicity materials on se- against a Filipina defendant who forcing them to work. The report about the Technical Working also informed Philippine officials about curing FDH visa. missed her previous court hearing. Officials of the Philippine Consulate Group meeting between Hong Kong and an information kiosk that it will set up in “LD plans to provide leaflets and in- The duty lawyer of Julie M. on and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office Philippine officials held in April was sent Central on Jul. 9 and Aug. 27 to raise the clude such guidelines in its online portal,” June 7 told Deputy Magistrate Lam requested the HKID to comment “on the to the DFA office in Manila on May 16. awareness of foreign domestic helpers on added the PCG report. Tsz-kan the defendant was unable to practice of some employers who regular- Philippine officials also raised the con- their rights and responsibilities as work- The LD has also assured foreign do- appear in court on May 24 owing to ly bring their helpers abroad in the guise cern about Filipino domestic helpers trav- ers. mestic helpers that they need not return to heavy bleeding. joining them for vacation but actually eling to China, and meeting an accident The information kiosk may also be set their home country if they could provide “She went to the hospital. The fol- force the FDHs to work.” there, but had no medical insurance. up again in November and December, evidence of being abused and exploited. lowing day she still had some bleed- ing, ” the duty lawyer said. Judge Lam then ordered the can- cellation of the arrest warrant against the defendant. He also said the bail FDH offers help to prosecute employer money would not be confiscated. By Ally Constantino filing of the case against her Chinese em- other charges of breach of condition of offered $1,000 as bail money. Julie was charged with breaching ployer L.P. stay also for working at the same shop. However, Judge Lam required G.R. to her condition of stay in Hong Kong A Filipino domestic helper has offered G.R. pleaded guilty to charges of When the duty lawyer asked the court submit within 24 hours an address where by overstaying in the city after her to assist in the prosecution of her former breach of condition of stay for working to adjourn the case to June 28 to give she could stay if she would be released visa expired in 2014. She first came employer who made her work at a shop at the shop in various dates in 2016.