Nine domestic workers arrested for illegal gambling in North Point

THE crackdown continues.

Nine Filipinos were arrested during the special holiday on September 3 after they were caught gambling illegally in North Point.

According to Dorothy Leung, Duty Officer at the Police Public Relations Branch of the Hong Kong Police, the authorities arrested 10 persons—nine of them Filipinos and one Indian national— because they were playing cards and making monetary bets.

Leung said the defendants were arrested near the City Garden Road in North Point at around noon.

Of those arrested, seven were women, and three were men (including the Indian national).

“They were arrested because they were gambling in a place not operated by a gambling establishment. They were playing cards,” she said.

Leung said the 10 suspects were charged and brought to the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on September 4.

On July 16, an Eastern Courts judge ordered four Filipino domestic helpers to pay a fine of $500 each after they were caught gambling in Central.

The Hong Kong government dropped the illegal gambling charges against the Filipinas after they agreed to be bound over for $1,000 for 12 months.

“This means you should not commit or attempt to commit any illegal act involving illegal gambling in the next 12 Cheung-kung to the four Filipino domestic workers.

He added that if any of these Filipino domestic helpers commit any crime in the next 12 months, they will be penalized for the offense and pay an additional $1,000. If they commit no offense, then they do not have to pay the $1,000.

The Philippine Consulate General has been warning Filipinos against illegal gambling activities especially during their day off on Sunday in public places.

The PCG issued the warning after the arrest of the four Filipina domestic workers who were caught illegally gambling in Central.

“Iminungkahi ng Konsulado ng Pilipinas dito sa Hong Kong sa lahat ng Pilipino na naglalaro ng baraha sa mga walkway, daan at parke na umiwas sa anumang uri ng pagsusugal,” the PCG
said in an advisory.

“Ayon sa Ordinansya ng Hong Kong tungkol sa pagsusugal, ang sinumang maaresto ng pulisya sa akto ng ilegal na pagsusugal sa kalye ay mahahatulan ng korte sa unang pagkakataon ng pagmumulta ng HK$10,000 at pagkabilanggo ng tatlong buwan,” it said.

“Sinumang mahatulan ng korte sa ikalawang beses ay magbabayad ng multa ng HK$20,000 at pagkabilanggo ng anim na buwan. Sa ikatlo at sa mga susunod na pagkakahatol, ang parusa ay aabot
sa pagbayad ng multa ng HK$30,000 at pagkabilanggo ng siyam ng buwan, the PCG added.

It said the police continue to receive reports that Filipino workers were openly gambling in various parts of Hong Kong.

“Ang pulisya ng Hong Kong ay patuloy na nakakatanggap ng mga ulat galing sa publiko ukol sa paglaganap ng pagsusugal sa hanay ng mga Pilipino sa iba’t ibang parte ng Hong Kong,” the PCG said.

“Ang pulisya ng Hong Kong ay kasalukuyang gumagawa ng aksyon laban sa mga gawaing ito, kaugnay na rito ang pag-aresto sa mga Pilipinong matatagpuang nakikilahok sa pagsusugal. Pinapakiusap ng pulisya sa publiko na maging mapagmatyag at magbigay ng impormasyon sa anumang ilegal na pagsusugal,” it added.