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Su Xinqi

Hong Kong’s leader promised to help four city residents a day after they were sentenced to life in prison in the Philippines on what they claim are trumped-up drug possession charges.
Urging the Southeast Asian nation to guarantee fair and humane treatment for the men, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor stopped short of saying whether she would seek central government help when she visits Beijing from Saturday.
The four Hong Kong men, aged 31 to 51, are now seeking to appeal the sentences handed down by a regional court in Olongapo, a city four hours’ drive from Manila.
The court convicted them of possessing half a kilogram of methamphetamine, which they have denied since they were arrested at sea near the popular tourist resort of Subic in July 2016.
“A few days ago, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China would pay great attention and seriously follow up should Chinese nationals suffer unfair treatment overseas,” Lam said on Saturday.
“The Hong Kong government will also definitely provide assistance to Hongkongers facing difficulties abroad.”

She did not specify what steps her administration would take.
Wang had been speaking in relation to the case of Sabrina Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, who was arrested in Canada at the behest of the US over allegations she sold telecoms equipment to Iran, in breach of sanctions.
Lam said she would actively follow the case, as she did the case of another Hongkonger, Tang Lung-wai, four months ago.
“We have actively followed up on the case of another Hongkonger who got into trouble in the Philippines. And I am personally willing to follow up on the four Hong Kong men’s case with the same attitude,” she said.
Families of 4 jailed for life in Philippines urge Beijing to intervene
She added that the quartet’s case had been referred to the Security Bureau, which sought to meet the families. She said the administration would focus on fair trials and humane treatment for the affected city residents.
“Yet I can’t directly intervene in the judicial system and procedures of foreign countries,” she added.
I can’t directly intervene in the judicial system and procedures of foreign countries
Chief Executive Carrie Lam
Lam wrote to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte In August to ask for “compassionate consideration” in expediting a request to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration so Tang could receive a “fair and just trial”.
Tang, 47, was arrested in the Philippines in 2000, and has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of possession of methamphetamine.
His ordeal took a surprising turn after Lam’s letter in August. Philippine immigration authorities released a critical piece of evidence and Tang launched a final appeal.
The four men in the more recent case – Lo Wing-fai, 44, Chan Kwok-tung, 31, Kwok Kam-wah, 49, and Leung Shu-fook, 51 – were detained aboard a 50-metre fishing boat about 3km off the coast of Zambales province, northwest of Manila, in an operation led by then Philippine police chief Ronald dela Rosa.

The arrests came at a time of high tension over territorial claims in the South China Sea and a pledge by Duterte to wage a “relentless and sustained” war on drugs and crime.
Authorities said the men were part of a racket smuggling drugs to mainland China, but the families complained it was a set-up. The men’s relatives said officers found nothing in an initial search but later claimed to have discovered the drugs in one man’s backpack, which had been taken from the men’s sight for a few minutes. The defence suggested during the trial that the drugs were planted in the bag.
Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said on Saturday afternoon whether the central government would intervene depended on the case’s development.
“The Hong Kong government is highly concerned about the case and will seriously follow up on it,” Cheung said. “The Immigration Department has visited the four men several times through the Chinese embassy in the Philippines. The government will continue to keep an eye on the case through China’s foreign ministry and central government.”
A spokesman for the Security Bureau said Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu would contact China’s foreign affairs commissioner in Hong Kong in person and write to the Philippine consulate in the city to urge a fair trial and protection of the prisoners’ legal rights.
The Immigration Department also asked China’s embassy in the Philippines to help arrange consular visits, according to the spokesman.


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Crime

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam pledges help for city residents jailed in Philippines

The four men were seeking to appeal their sentences. Photo: EPA

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor attends HK Brands and Products Expo opening ceremony in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay. 15DEC18 SCMP / Winson Wong

FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police chief General Ronald Dela Rosa whispers to President Rodrigo Duterte during the announcement of the disbandment of police operations against illegal drugs at the Malacanang palace in Manila, Philippines January 29, 2017. To match Special Report PHILIPPINES-DRUGS/SQUAD REUTERS/Ezra Acayan/File Photo

Families call on Beijing and Hong Kong governments to intervene after four men from city jailed for life in Philippines on drugs charge

The four men – from left, Chan Kwok-tung, Kwok Kam-wah, Lo Wing-fai and Leung Shu-fook – all denied manufacturing illegal substances and possession of Ice. Lo’s sister Lo Shu-ho is pictured with them. Photo: Handout.

One of the convicted Leung Shu fookÕs daughter Winkey Leung Wing-lam (L) and Lo Wing-faiÕs elder sister Lo Shu-ho (R) standing in front of a prison in Olongapo city, the Philippines, where the four Hong Kong men were detained on Thursday.14DEC18. Handout

epa07230233 Chinese nationals (in yellow) are escorted by Bureau of Jail and Penology (BJMP) personnel after being sentenced to life imprisonment in Olongapo city, Philippines, 14 December 2018. According to news reports, four Chinese nationals have been convicted by a Philippine court for being involved in the operation of a floating methamphetamine laboratory. Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74, on 14 December, sentenced Win Fai Lo, Shu Fook Leung, Kam Wah Kwok and Kwok Tung Chan to suffer life imprisonment. EPA-EFE/JUN DUMAGUING

Four arrested Chinese nationals were presented to PNP Chief Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa during his inspection last night of the floating shabu laboratory in Subic Bay, Brgy. Calapandayan. The seized 50-meter vessel was used to bring drug shipments to Ilocos, Cagayan, Pangasinan and Subic. Also confiscated in the vessel were shabu substance and equipment used in manufacturing drugs. SCMP Pictures(photo released by Philippine National Police) Hong Kong residents Lo Wing Fai, 42; Leung Shu Fook, 49; Kwok Kam Wah, 47; and Chan Kwok Tung, 29, were taken to Camp Crame and would be charged today with violating the Dangerous Drugs Act as well as immigration and maritime laws.

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Four men convicted on drug possession charges, which they still deny
Lam stops short of saying she will ask for Beijing’s help with the case


Carrie Lam stops short of saying she will ask for Beijing’s help with the case of four men jailed on drug possession charges, which they still deny.


Carrie Lam

Rodrigo Duterte

The Philippines

Drugs

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam pledges help for city residents jailed in Philippines

Four men convicted on drug possession charges, which they still deny Lam stops short of saying she will ask for Beijing’s help with the case

Four men convicted on drug possession charges, which they still deny

Lam stops short of saying she will ask for Beijing’s help with the case