First training for OFW anti-crime ambassadors held

Participants and trainer pose for a photo at the Central Police Station

THE Hong Kong Police Force has formally launched on Sept. 24 at the Central Police Station in Sheung Wan a series of training for Filipinos working in the city.

Seeking to prevent domestic helpers from falling prey to crimes or breaking laws, enlist support to disseminate crime prevention messages to other Filipinos
and to enhance mutual understanding between the Police and the Filipino helpers, the HKPF launched the program.

Participants of the program, who will be called “Crime Ambassadors”, were mostly Filipino community leaders.

The participants were expected to attend a compulsory one-hour seminar on four topics namely: local laws, traffic regulations, law and order situation with the crime trends and crime prevention advice, Police procedures and activities. They were also required to finish first aid courses and one-day local tour in order to fully
complete the program.

Kevin Leung, police community relation officer of the Central District, discussed the law and order situation in Hong Kong in the first session.

Filipinos were also advised that in case of suspicious calls asking them for money, they should report about it to the anti-scam helpline 18222.

Leung told Filipinos that there were three common types of telephone scams, namely “guess who”, “detained son or kin”, and those to be “pretending officials”
of the Immigration Department or other local law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, the second session discussed more about the Police Force, police powers, procedures, and services that Filipino workers might encounter.

There was also an open forum where participants were given the chance to ask questions regarding the topic.

“I am so happy to be a part of this program and I believe this will not only benefit me but my co-OFWs as well”, Rowena Rosales said as she left the venue.

Aiza I. Rubio, a participant from Balikatan sa Kaunlaran group,  said the first session was helpful as she believed the ignorance of Filipinos about Hong Kong laws often led to offenses  and  even crimes in some cases.

The next session will be held this month. – with a report from Cheryl M. Arcibal