HK Police seeks Interpol help to track down Peya Travel exec

THE Hong Kong Police has sought the help of Interpol to locate the Peya Travel executive who disappeared after the police investigated the travel agency’s ticketing mess in December, an official of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) said.

Consul Paul Saret, head of the PCG-Assistance to Nationals Section, said Peya Travel marketing manager Arnold Grospe would also be included in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) “watch list” in the Philippines.

“We have communicated to our colleagues in the Philippines our request for him to be included in the watch list,” Saret said in an interview.

“We’ve reported him to Manila. With the gravity of his case, he might not be able to process the renewal of his travel papers unless he cooperates with the Philippine government on this case. That is the latest,” he added.

Around 1,200 Filipino domestic workers were stranded at the Hong Kong international airport last Christmas due to the ticketing mess involving Peya Travel.

“The Hong Kong Police is also coordinating with Immigration and, if I’m not mistaken, Interpol, to look for (Grospe),” Saret said.

The Hong Kong Police in March confirmed to the PCG that Grospe was no longer in Hong Kong after checking his known addresses in the city. On the other hand, Saret said Peya co-owner Rhea Donna Boyce was still in the city.

“Basically, she surrendered to the police so she has a record and won’t be able to leave. She’s on bail,” Saret said.

Boyce had denied any wrongdoing.

Saret said that around 50 Filipino domestic workers also flocked to the consulate on April 29 and May 6 after he appealed that they formalized their complaint against Peya.

He said that he accompanied then to the Wan Chai police station where there sworn statements were taken. “The investigators have no office on Sunday but they were there to take their  statements,” Saret said.